Are you a GBPA Hero? Charity Champion

The Morning Advertiser ​(MA​) is now hunting out the pubs that have really gone above and beyond when it comes to charity work during lockdown to celebrate them as one of the Great British Pub Awards Pub Heroes 2020.

The search for the UK’s Charity Champion pub of the lockdown is now well underway, but there’s still time for you to enter your pub in the competition, and win a share of a funding from Coca Cola and money towards your charity.

Ed Bedington, editor of the MA​, which organises the awards, said: “Pubs and charity do go hand in hand, and we hear many stories of how operators do wonderful things to support local and national charities year round.

“However, with lockdown hitting pubs first and hardest, they could be forgiven for focusing their attentions on their own challenges. Despite this, we know many pubs did the opposite, and continued to work hard to raise money and awareness for charities close to their heart.

“We want to celebrate that by bringing some of your stories into the limelight and reminding people why pubs are such important parts of our society.”

The Great British Pub Awards Pub Heroes is an evolution of the traditional Great British Pub Awards, and aims to shine a real spotlight on some of the fantastic achievements of pubs during the coronavirus crisis.

Bedington added: “Pubs have really been hit hard by the crisis, but rather than shut up shop and walk away, we’ve seen operators not only rise to the challenge, but go way beyond that, doing amazing things to support the communities they serve.

“We want to use these awards to help shout from the rooftops about how great pubs are, and what a vital part they are of the fabric of our society.”

You can enter the Charity Champion category, sponsored by Booker, now at www.greatbritishpubawards.co.uk​​​ and the winner will not only receive £1,000 from Coca Cola to put towards a charity of their choice, but also the opportunity to bid for a £10,000 grant towards a business improvement upgrade or community project of your choice.

The full list of categories in the competition are: 

• Feeding the Community​​ – A pub that has kept their community fed
• Front-Line Support​​ – A pub that has supported the NHS and other front-line workers in a variety of ways
• Staff Welfare​​ – A pub that has gone above and beyond to look after their teams
• Community Mindfulness​​ – A pub that has supported the community’s mental health
• Community Services​​ – A pub that has looked after vulnerable customers
• Business Continuity​​ – A pub that has found innovative ways to continue to deliver its services during the lockdown
• Pub Shop​​ – A pub that has pivoted to provide essential supplies to its local community
• Charity Champion​​ – A pub that has raised money for charity despite the lockdown
• Keeping the Community Entertained​​ – A pub that has continued to provide vital entertainment to its community – virtual quizzes, concerts etc
• Sheltering the Community​​ – A pub that has provided a room for someone in need
• Punch Pub Hero of the Year​​
• Admiral Pub Hero of the Year​​
• Greene King Pub Hero of the Year​​
• Ei Publican Partnerships Pub Hero of the Year​

Entries are open until this Friday 24 July and the competition is sponsored by Booker, Coca-Cola European Partners, Heineken UK, Diageo, Sky, Ei Publican Partnerships, Admiral, Star Pubs & Bars, Punch Pubs and Greene King.