The Fatling, Hornchurch has been selected as one of eight finalists in the Charity Pub of the Year Awards 2019, run by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) and sponsored by Matthew Clark.
The competition, now in its second year, seeks to recognise those pubs which go the extra mile in their support of charities and good causes. This year’s contest attracted close to 100 entries from pubs across the country, with an extremely high standard that gave judges a near-impossible task in whittling the field down to just eight finalists.
As a community pub situated on the High Street, The Fatling has established itself as a key hub, not only for local traders, businesses and local government, but also as a magnet for those that live in the surrounding areas. This strong support base has enabled The Fatling’s team to offer a broad range of fundraising activity for charities.
Over the years, the team at the Fatling has supported charities large and small, national and local, registered and unregistered, including: Cancer Research, Help for Heroes, Little Princess, British Heart Foundation, Sports Relief, Text Santa, Children in Need, Comic Relief, Tapestry, British Legion, Air Ambulance, Stand up to Cancer, Sepsis Awareness, First Step, Noah’s Ark, Keep Kids Going and Save The Children (Christmas Jumpers); Christian Hugs, St Francis Hospice, Benhurst Primary School, The Friends of Dunelm, Harrow Lodge Primary School and Nelmes School and all other local schools in the area.
Last year, members of the bar team ran the London Marathon as well as organising several events, including a quiz, a dinner dance and a car boot sale, raising a staggering £15,000 for the British Heart Foundation.
Sandy Castle, who has been General Manager of The Fatling for over 12 years, said: “This is fantastic news, I am delighted to be shortlisted for Charity Pub of the Year. This achievement is down to my team. I am extremely proud of how they always aim to go the extra mile with genuine acts of kindness and understanding. We have worked really hard to make the Fatling a community space, supporting local and national charities, often because one of our customers has asked us to help raise money for a cause they are passionate about. We try and provide something for everyone, and we are really pleased that we have been recognised in this way.”
Co-founder of PubAid, Des O’Flanagan said: “We’re delighted to be running this competition again, and are grateful to the involvement of Matthew Clark, whose support makes these awards possible.
“The entries underline the incredible support provided by pub teams and customers for charities and good causes. Pubs in the UK raise £100 million every year for charity and contribute a further £40 million to grassroots sport, making them a powerful force for good in their local communities and wider society.”
The Fatling, 109 High Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TX