The Swan in Thornbury is one of just 15 pubs from across the country to reach the finals of the Community Pub Hero Awards, organised by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and sponsored by Matthew Clark.
Nationwide, 200 pubs entered the Community Pub Hero Awards, including 70 nominated by their local MP. Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts and the overall winners will be announced in March, with all finalists invited to a presentation at the House of Commons.
The competition first ran in 2018 and has been expanded this year to offer two categories for pubs: Community Support Hero or Charity Fundraising Hero, and a new Community Regular Hero where pubs nominated a supportive customer.
The Swan, a Stonegate pub, has raised money in a number of ways, hosting a huge variety of fundraising events. Monies raised have been donated mainly to local charities such as Thornbury Stroke Group, though the pub also facilitated a local collection for Ukraine..
PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan said:
“Our heartfelt congratulations go to The Swan. Sandra and her team at The Swan are worthy finalists thanks to their impressive fundraising over many years. They support a range of worthy charities such as local Thornbury Stroke Group to Ukraine Relief, through numerous activities from afternoon teas to knitathons, a dart marathon and craft market, among others. They also extended their support to help Ukraine, setting up a collection post for vital supplies which Sandra then drove to Ukraine in a lorry.
“We had 200 entries to the Community Pub Hero Awards, so reaching the final 15 is a tremendous achievement which all at The Swan should be most proud of.”
“Judges were hugely impressed by the stories from so many pubs, who have raised astonishing sums for charities, or provided incredible support for local people. The awards demonstrate, once again, that pubs are a force for good in their communities.”
John Steele, Trade Marketing Director, Matthew Clark added:
“We were delighted to support this competition again and pleased to see an increase in the number of entries over last year. It is wonderful to hear about the great work done by licensees and their teams and we’re happy to be giving them well-deserved recognition.”
The Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said:
“To receive 70 nominations from MPs is an excellent result and shows how pubs are valued as hubs of charity and community support in constituencies across the country. Congratulations to The Swan on reaching the finals in a very tough competition.”
PubAid is a working party created in 2009 to promote UK pubs as a force for good in their communities, sharing the message that they raise over £100m per year for charities and contribute £40 million to grassroots sport. PubAid runs the annual World’s Biggest Pub Quiz, which has raised £750,000 since its launch in 2016, the Community Pub Hero Awards and, launched in early 2022, the Grassroots Sports Champions, in association with Sky, to recognise pubs’ support for local sports.
The All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group was set up in 1993 and has a membership of over 350 MPs and Peers. The Beer Group’s objectives are to broaden recognition of the enormous contribution of brewing and pubs to the UK economy from grain to glass – and to celebrate the unique role that beer and pubs play in our society.
Ed: The Community Pub Hero Awards are run by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and sponsored by Matthew Clark.
