Surrey pub raises thousands
Monday 1 November 2010
A
pub in Dormansland has raised over £17,000 for Rockinghorse, the
charity that makes life better for sick children in Sussex and Surrey.
Owners of The Plough Pub, Jo Sweeting and Simon Sheasby, held a fundraising day to raise money towards a high dependency unit for Outwood Ward, which is the children’s ward at East Surrey Hospital.
The day was filled with events for all the family, including games for children, a raffle and an auction, as well as great food and entertainment. The pub is also in the process of developing a Plough Pub charity calendar, in which all of the proceeds will go towards Rockinghorse.
Jo Sweeting explained why her and her partner got involved: “When we heard about Rockinghorse’s project for Outwood Ward we wanted to help. Our son, Henry, has been in and out of the hospital since he was born. The high dependency unit would have made a huge difference to him and while I hope he doesn’t have to keep going into hospital, if he does need the unit in the future, I want it to be available to him and to others like him.”
“We’ve recently held a second fundraising event as part of our Beer Festival and we’re hoping that, together with the calendar, we will raise £20,000 for the cause. We’re grateful to everyone for their support, including Alan Fergusen who donated £1,000 towards our total.”
Rockinghorse’s high dependency unit will cost £45,000 to complete and will be for children who require more intensive observation, treatment and nursing care than can be provided on a general ward, but who do not need full intensive care treatment. Children who stay in the unit will have complex medical needs and may have undergone surgery.
Analiese Doctrove, Community Fundraiser for Rockinghorse, said: “Jo and Simon have done a fantastic job and we are so grateful to them. Thanks to their help and the generosity of local people we are over a third of the way there already.”
To donate money to the project or to find out more about the charity, call 01273 730286.
