Urban Pubs & Bar has raised more than £32,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital charity, with 80 employees and suppliers taking on a unique pub marathon.
They set off on an ambitious challenge to visit all 67 Urban Pubs & Bars venues across London in a single day, raising funds towards the group’s £250,000 pledge to GOSH Charity.
Participants joined the challenge at different points throughout the day, with many choosing to take on one or more of the six regional legs, while a determined group attempted the entire route.
Just four participants completed the full challenge, setting off from the George and Dragon, in Wanstead, at 6.30am and finally crossing the finish line at The Whippet, in Kensal Rise, at 11.30pm.
The journey covered 110km across London over 16 hours, including more than 51km on foot, alongside journeys by Tube, train, and bus, with teams receiving a warm welcome from colleagues and customers at Urban venues along the way.
Through individual fundraising and generous supplier sponsorship, including support from Lucky Saint, Franklin’s and others, the challenge raised more than £32,000 for GOSH Charity, more than doubling its initial fundraising target.
Combined with Urban Pubs & Bars’ wider fundraising efforts, including its September ‘pound on the bill’ initiative for Children’s Cancer Month, the group has now raised more than £200,000, putting it within touching distance of its £250,000 pledge.
The funds will support GOSH Charity’s biggest-ever fundraising appeal, Build it. Beat it, which is helping to build a world-leading new Children’s Cancer Centre at the hospital.
“The first ever Urban Pubs and Bars Marathon was a very special, if gruelling day,” said Chris Hill, managing director of Urban Pubs & Bars. “Safe to say, we underestimated just how hard it would be to travel so far across London to visit all of our wonderful London pubs. The team of colleagues and suppliers remained so positive all day, and it was amazing to receive such warm welcomes at each pub.
“I am delighted we have raised over £30k for GOSH, doubling our initial target, meaning that we have now raised over £200k of our £250k pledge to support the building a new private bedroom at the hospital. I want to thank all partners on the day, especially Lucky Saint and Franklin’s who supported with sponsorship and provisions along the way.”
