The Crafty Charity Pot Has Smashed £750,000

And the funds are still growing, with a Warm Spaces campaign on the way

That’s right, the Crafty Make it a Million pot has now reached an incredible £750,000 in funds for those most in need in our communities, and it’s still growing towards that million-pound target! Of course, this wonderful achievement is all down to the pubs and operators donning their giving hats and drumming up some support for the cause. So, let’s dive into all the good stuff that’s gone on since we last dialled in, and all the good stuff still to come!

Our first stop is The George IV, a brilliant community pub in Lichfield, who have taken their fundraising efforts to new heights with a charity abseil at Villa Park. This thrill-seeking venture has reeled in an incredible £1,400 for local charity Acorns Children’s Hospice – that’s a whopping five times more than their original target of £300!

After the sad passing of 10-year-old Tristan this year, family friends Summer and Ben were inspired to make a difference and raise some money for Acorns Children’s Hospice, who provided vital support for Tristan and his family. Summer, Ben and everyone at The George IV’s efforts have had a huge impact, meaning this brilliant charity can continue to offer support for children and families in the local community.

But it’s not just Acorns that our brilliant pubs have been supporting. Norwich pub The Garden House is opening its doors to those less fortunate for the annual Warm Spaces campaign.

The goal of the Warm Spaces campaign is to provide warmth and essentials to those who are struggling over the winter months, and from 11am every day, The Garden House welcomes anyone in need to make the most of the pub’s central heating while settling in with free teas and coffees.
This heart-warming pub regularly supports local charities, and money raised within the pub will be further put towards buying food items for donation. But food isn’t the only thing our communities need during the winter season – Jonathon Childs, The Garden House’s operator, has put out a request to the Norwich community to donate hot water bottles to help those suffering in the cold weather.

“To see the community come together to support our Warm Spaces initiative is heartwarming and a prime example of what makes our community so special,” Jonathon says. “Sadly, we are currently running low on hot water bottles, so we would hugely appreciate any hot water bottles people can donate, as these items can really help make a difference.”

In the meantime, this exceptional pub is continuing to give those in need a warm refuge and a little love this winter, and we’re incredibly proud of everything achieved at both The Garden House and The George IV. The target is now in our sights, and we’re excited to see all the exceptional things our pubs continue to do to help our much-loved communities and make it a million!

If you’re looking to get involved and make a difference, find your Crafty local and check out what's going on.