Euchre team aces fundraising for children’s ward
Children staying on Frossard Ward at the hospital are set to receive hundreds of pounds-worth of toys from Aladdin’s Cave thanks to an initiative from members of a pub euchre team.
The Red Lion Growlers, who are closely involved with the Red Lion pub, have been raising money at the pub with the backing of landlord Richard Cann, and have bought vouchers from Aladdin’s Cave.
The vouchers were presented to ward staff just after Christmas.
‘We’ve been doing this for the last five or six years. Previously we’ve donated TVs to the children’s and maternity wards, while we also gave 10 or 12 pairs of boxing gloves to the Amalgamated Boxing Club,’ said Growlers vice-captain Andy Eborall.
The money was raised after pub customers were encouraged to buy into a playing card raffle, with a deck of cards shuffled and winning cards then picked.
‘Even those who won were very generous and donated their prizes to the pot. It’s never any trouble trying to sell the cards as everyone is always very willing to take part and share in the cause.’
He added that £280 had already been set aside for the vouchers in the run-up to Christmas and it was hoped that the total would rise by at least another £150 after a further raffle.
'We wanted to get the vouchers to the hospital early because Aladdin’s Cave have a sale on until 6 January, so this gives the ward staff time to get down there and get a better deal on the toys,' Mr Eborall added.
‘The nurses are just incredible, if this brightens up both their and the children’s Christmas and New Year then we will be happy.’
