Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News

Pub crawl raises a grand for hospice

- BY JOHN MCDOUGALL john.mcdougall@trinitymir­ror.com @JMacD1988

AGROUP of 30 men raised more than £1,000 for Halton Haven Hospice in Runcorn through an annual pub crawl in Widnes.

Organised by Billy Webb, the group of friends have been taking part in their traditiona­l pub crawl for the last eight years.

After the third year, they decided to add a fundraisin­g element to their annual event, raising anywhere from £150 to £1,275 each year for a variety of charities.

Following successful fundraisin­g efforts for causes such as Macmillan Cancer Support and the Steve Prescott Foundation, Billy and the rest of the group chose Halton Haven to benefit from the 2016 proceeds.

The group reached eight pubs across Widnes all whilst dressed as the bobsledder­s from the famous film, Cool Runnings.

Each of the friends pays £5 on the day, with further donations coming from non-participat­ing friends and family, fines for misdemeano­urs on the route, and bucket collection­s held in the pubs.

Billy said: “We chose Halton Haven as it was mentioned by one of the group, Craig Lawton, who knows from his job in hospitalit­y about the work the hospice does.

Once he put it forward it was a no brainer as it is local charity with a fantastic cause.

“It was also great to hear a couple of people come up to me and share their story of what the charity has done for their family – this made myself and the lads extremely satisfied we picked a great charity in Halton Haven.

“The crawl was a great success as we raised £1,200 in just one day through some very kind donations. We had a great laugh and fun along the way in the bobsled.

“Big shout out to Will ‘Digger’ Dignall who donated a generous sum all the way from Australia.”

Halton Haven community fundraiser Chris Andrews thanked the group for their fundraisin­g efforts.

He said: “Donations like this are so important in allowing us to continue caring for local people who are living with end of life conditions, so we are incredibly grateful for their efforts.

“And what a fantastic way to fundraise too!

“The group have raised a small fortune for a variety of worthy causes over the last five years and we are so pleased to have been one of them.

“I’m looking forward to welcomingg Billy and some of the others to the e hospice soon so they can see how w their money will be spent.”

To sponsor the group visit www.. justgiving. com/ fundraisin­g/ Billy- Webb2 ● ● ●

 ??  ?? Stormtroop­ers and penguins, left and right, are among the previous guises taken up by the veteran pub crawlers, who undertake the annual event in aid of Halton Haven The Cool Runnings bobsled team, above and left
Stormtroop­ers and penguins, left and right, are among the previous guises taken up by the veteran pub crawlers, who undertake the annual event in aid of Halton Haven The Cool Runnings bobsled team, above and left
 ??  ?? Mexicans during a previous fundraiser
Mexicans during a previous fundraiser
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