Record Total Raised For Pub’s Charity Of The Year

The Driftwood Spars in St Agnes outdid its own ambitious target for charity fundraising in 2019, raising over £7,000 for The Sunrise Appeal to improve oncology facilities at RCH Treliske.

Landlady Louise Treseder and her team set out to raise £6,000 in memory of pub regulars and St Agnes locals who sadly lost their battles with cancer; several families in the village have suffered bereavements in the last few years.

However, they far exceeded their target and will soon hand over their largest charity cheque to date to The Sunrise Appeal.

Louise said: “Losing loved ones to cancer is sadly something many of us will have to face in our lifetimes. We said goodbye to several much-loved regulars last year – people who are missed by the whole community but most of all by their families. Raising money for the Sunrise Centre at Treliske is our way of remembering them and doing something positive for their legacy.”

The £7,000 will be used to buy new equipment and fund training and research, crucially helping to keep cancer services in Cornwall and prevent patients having to travel out of county.

The record total was achieved with several events throughout the year, including quiz nights, raffles, a Pantomime and a Gin Trail, plus 10p from sales of every pint of house ale Spars is donated to the charity appeal.

However, a significant contribution was made by The Driftwood Spars Charity Calendar 2020, which saw female staff and regulars revealing (almost!) all, Calendar Girls style.

The calendar was a huge hit; with only a handful remaining they are now being described as collectors’ items, encapsulating the strong community spirit and sense of fun St Agnes enjoys.

Louise said: “Taking our kit off for the calendar was terrifying, but living life to the full is about stepping outside of your comfort zone! That’s why having this calendar on your wall is a great reminder of why you should embrace each day.”

During 2020 The Driftwood Spars has elected to raise money for I Belong St Agnes, a new initiative designed to combat mental health issues, loneliness and isolation in the village.

Louise explained: “As an independent pub at the heart of the community, we’ve made it our mission to become a social hub – a place where you can always find a friendly welcome and something going on. I Belong St Agnes is all about nurturing mental and physical health through getting out and about and socializing together – something we’re totally onboard with!”

Fundraising has already started for the new appeal and will continue throughout the year.

For news of fundraising events check social media or visit www.driftwoodspars.co.uk.