The Old George in Old George Yard, Newcastle has raised £2312 for The Children’s Wish List by asking for £1 donations and collecting them in a drinks version of a piggy bank – a four litre vodka bottle.
The pub was kindly given the bottle by Diageo, British multinational alcoholic drinks company and they have now managed to completely fill the bottle accumulating a total of £2312. Having filled the first bottle, the Old George have started again and aim to double the current amount fundraised.
Alongside their collection, the pub will also be hosting weekly bingo nights throughout December where customers can donate £2 to join the game and be in with the chance of winning a range of items. Prizes up for grabs include an expresso coffee maker and a Newcastle United Top for football fans.
The money raised will be donated to The Children’s Christmas Wish List, a charity who grant the wishes of children with a life threatening illness.
Andrea Johnstone, General Manager at The Old George, said: “I am so pleased with how much we’ve raised so far. We’ve started the next bottle and hope to double the current amount raised. The charity does amazing work for the kids and all of us here at the OldGeorge are happy to support such a great cause.
“We started fundraising when we were visited by World Champion boxer and local superstar, Glenn McCrory. He was a strong advocate for the charity and one of the reasons we chose to support them.
“I am now currently helping my Area Manager co-ordinate 15 pubs in the North East and Yorkshire area to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge next year. We’ll be doing this in June 2020 as a team and all the money we raise will also be donated to the charity.”
Old George, Old George Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1EZ