Charity initiative helps keeps pubs lights on

The Woolpack pub in Burgess Hill has launched a Just Giving page to give locals the opportunity to contribute to the costs of the lights this festive season.

They’ve also added buckets for punters to make donation at the bar as well, and so far the Just Giving page has raised over £100 towards a target of £750.

The page said: “The Woolpack Christmas lights are a sight to behold but this year they are under threat. The soaring energy prices are impacting our business as much as everyone else, and we need your support to keep the Christmas lights on this festive season.

“All and any donations most gratefully received. We also have collection boxes in the pub if you would prefer to make a cash donation in person. Thank you to our wonderful customers for your continued support.”

Customer support

Dee Allen, licensee of the pub, said: “I was encouraged to do it by some regular customers who were worried we wouldn’t be able to afford to do it this year.

“As we raise so much throughout the year for charity, I thought why not try to do something for us!

“The Christmas lights here are always a big hit with the customers and we even have people just walk through the pub with their children to see the lights. This is fine by us and we love to see their faces light up with amazement. We hope they will spread the word and come back in for a drink another time.”

She said the reaction from the customers to the initiative had been fantastic, with over £100 online and a further nearly £300 raised from the donation boxes on the bar.

Allen added: “The market for pubs like ours is really challenging at the moment, but pubs are very much part of their communities and we’re delighted with the support we’ve had from our community of locals and regulars.”