The pub has been fundraising for Brian House for several years, but decided to ‘go big’ during the children’s hospice 21st birthday year
When it comes to raising money for a good cause, pub manager Sharon Gallagher knows a thing or two!
Over the past year staff and customers at The Highlands on Bispham Promenade have easily exceeded an ambitious fundraising target to raise £3,436 to pay for a whole day’s care at Brian House Children’s Hospice.
The pub has been fundraising for Brian House for several years, but decided to ‘go big’ during the children’s hospice 21st birthday year in 2017.
Sharon said: “There were brainstorming sessions with all the staff to try and come up with ways of raising money for Brian House, and during one of those the idea of a static cycle ride was raised – and became an epic 100 days to Oz challenge.”
Sharon’s daughter Ashleigh lives in Dubbo, Australia, and two exercise bikes with mile counters were set up for customers to hop on a do a stint, aiming to cover the 10,388 miles between Bispham and Dubbo in 100 days.
Needless to say they did it, and the team’s fundraising efforts on the bikes were topped up with regular raffles, quizzes and entertainment evenings at the Highlands.
Sharon said: “We had one customer who clocked up a staggering 1,000km and another who came in on his 47th birthday and rode 47km that day. The Highlands customers have been truly amazing.”
The target to raise enough money for one day’s care at Brian House was smashed.
Janet Atkins, Senior Fundraiser at Trinity Hospice and Brian House said: “People do all sorts of things for us, but if they ever want lessons in how to motivate people to give money and enjoy themselves in the process, they should go to the Highlands.
“Over the weeks and months Sharon and her team came up with one great idea after another and inspired customers and friends to get involved. Sharon is always reluctant to take any of the credit but she really shows that there can be a lot of fun in fundraising, and we are really grateful for her help.
“The Highlands has done Brian House proud, paying for vital respite care for 80 of the most fragile children in our Fylde Coast community.”
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