Cheshire Gastro Pub have served-up a two course treat of funds for our hospices.

Management and regulars at the White Horse in Churton dug deep in their pockets and energy reserves when they hosted a fun day at the pub and took part in an epic coast to coast cycle ride.

On Saturday 29th June the pub hosted Churton Fest, a day of great alfresco food, real ales, live music and fun for all the family which was blessed with sunshine and saw generous locals help raise £4,200 and combined with the sponsorship from a 150 mile cycle ride between Whitehaven and Sunderland and on 13th-14th July, totalled an amazing £9,612.

It was a busy day at Churton Fest which featured BBQ and live music alongside real ale and fun for the kids

Gruelling ride

Steve Gaskell, 48, from Churton was part of the cycling group and also helped organise the festival day. He said: “We’d never done any cycling before really. 

“So when a group of us who know each other from the pub and a circuit training class decided to raise money for the hospices, we bought some bikes and did a bit of training.”

The group of 13 cyclists and four support crew ranged in age from 28 right up to 73 and bravely took on the hills of the Lake District and the revered Pennines.

Steve continued: “The weather was kind to us but coming out of Penrith and into the Pennines was really gruelling.

“We had really great camaraderie though and got each other through the 4,000 metres of ascent on the course by talking as we rode."

Not even a buckled wheel on day one could stop Steve and the support crew got him to a local repair shop and back on the road.

Some of the hardy cyclists who ranged from 28 to 73 years old with their cheque at the pub

Successful raffle

Churton Fest was dreamed up by the same group over a pint and support was shown by the White Horse and Elite Bistros team with hosting the event helping to raise the fantastic sum. There was even a well-received raffle for Taylor Swift tickets.

Between the cycling team and the staff at the pub there has been family connections to Hope House Tŷ Gobaith so the team were more than happy to have them as their adopted charity.

Staff and locals at the White Horse reveal their grand total

Community effort

Looking to the future, Steve said: “We wish to sincerely thank the pub, all the people who attended and bought raffle tickets and sponsored us as well at the local businesses who chipped in.

“It really felt like the people of Churton and Farndon coming together in a great community effort which did us all proud. Thank you so much.

“We may even take on another coast to coast in Ireland next year.”

Fundraiser Nicola Eyes, said: “What an amazing total raised by some fantastic people.

“The efforts of everybody at the White Horse and the whole team of cyclists is greatly appreciated.

“It was a pleasure to assist them in their fundraising and we look forward to working together in the future to help us keep providing vital respite, care, counselling and physiotherapy to seriously ill children and their families.”