Throughout 2018, Marine Tavern support MindOut, the LGBTQ mental health service, as their local LGBT charity to support with all year round fundraising.
Craig Harwood, chief charity fundraiser at the Marine Tavern said: “Previously we have supported bigger charities like Rockinghorse but we are a real locals bar and we wanted a small, local charity with a LGBTQ focus where our money would really make a difference. We came up with our top 3 charities and then asked our locals to vote – they chose MindOut! Lots of them have used MindOut services or know someone who has. We wanted to give mental health more attention as it is a hidden need. Half the effort is about raising awareness as well as money!”
Craig said that although it was sometimes stressful – it was a lot of fun planning events and doing things together at the pub.
“It has been really beneficial for our own mental health – many of us have had our own experiences of mental health difficulties and we know how important it is in our communities. My goal is to get local bars working together in unison to help make our community stronger.”
Whilst Craig has been leading the fundraising efforts he praised the bar staff and punters who have contributed and organised events themselves – particularly Scott Austin Shaw and Jay Stacy. “It’s a real team effort” he said.
“We did a boat race fundraiser three years ago and it all grew from there – we made friends and started thinking about other activities we could do as a way of coming together and doing some good for charity.
“I suffer from anxiety and depression myself and it’s still quite taboo. It affects work, social life and it’s important to break down the wall of silence. People don’t take it as seriously as they should. At our event for Liam a few weeks ago some of the performers were amazing and spoke out about their own mental health issues – it helps create community connections.”
So far the team have organised a sponsored bike ride across the South Downs, had regular pub quizzes, collection tins at the bar and a memorial event for one of the locals.
So far this year they have raised £3,132.64 for MindOut and have set themselves a target of £7K to meet before the year is out.
A spokesperson for MindOut said: “MindOut would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for all the wonderful efforts of the team at the Marine Tavern including Craig Harwood, Lee Cockshott, Matt Convery, Jay Stacy, Scott Austin-Shaw and all our supporters at the Marine Tavern – you are truly making a difference!”
Coming fundraising events at the Marine Tavern include:
♦ 1 day Brighton to Paris cycle ride in November 2018. To support the team (Craig Harwood and Jay Stacy) and donate via their Paris cycle ride JustGiving Page, click here:
♦ January 2019 – End of year hurrah! and final fundraising event for MindOut…watch this space..
Click here: To help the guys at the Marine Tavern hit their target by donating via their team JustGiving page.
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