Lichfield community pub raises funds for children’s hospice with abseil at Villa Park

The pub’s fantastic efforts, along with support from the local community, are part of Craft Union’s ‘Make it a Million’ campaign. The aim of the campaign is to raise £1 million for local community causes through Craft Union’s network of over 600 pubs nationwide, with more than £700,000 already raised.

Summer and Ben were inspired to make a difference after the sad passing of Tristan, a close family friend who passed away aged just 10-years-old this year.

Acorns Children’s Hospice provided vital support for Tristan and his family and provide vital support for families in need in the community. As a result, the George IV wanted to help the charity be able to provide support for more families by taking on a challenge to encourage local residents to donate to their cause.

The duo decided to abseil down the iconic Holte End at Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa, with both setting out to raise £300 for the children’s hospice.

On the day, Summer and Ben successfully completed the abseil despite the monumental height and some pre-match nerves, the duo were spurred on by their goal of supporting the Acorns’ Hospice.

The community then came together and not only beat the previous fundraising target but smashed it out of the park, raising nearly five times the original goal, with the total raised currently standing at £1,421.

Operated by Kate Mottram, the George IV has become a cornerstone of the local community, providing not only a place for social gatherings but also a source of significant support for those who live in the area. Kate said: “Tristan was such a strong fighter and reminded us of that right until the end. Everything we do for Acorns is for his legacy. We would also like to thank our staff and customers at George IV Pub who make everything we do for charity possible.

“To see the community come together to support such an important charity in the Acorns Children’s Hospice was a heartwarming and prime example of what makes the Lichfield area so brilliant and just how special an individual Tristan was.

“Thanks to the generosity of the local community alongside our own staff, we have raised a huge £1,421 and we’re not going to stop there, with plenty more fundraising efforts to come in the coming months.”

Located on Bore Street, the popular pub plans to build on its success with continued fundraising events designed to engage and entertain the community, all while supporting vital causes as part of Craft Union’s mission to raise £1 million for charity.

For more information about upcoming events at the George IV, visit its website craftunionpubs.com/george-iv-pub-lichfield