VIDEO: Pub hopes to double previous fun day total

JPCT 230713 S13300312x Billingshurst. The Six Bells pub are holding their third annual charity event for Macmillan Cancer Support. Aimie caffyn, Richard and Bridget Hall, Kirsty and Vicky Cooper-Johnstone -photo by Steve Cobb

The Six Bells pub, in High Street, will hold their third event for Macmillan Cancer Support on Saturday, July 27, from 12 noon until 12 midnight with the aim of doubling their previous year’s total.

“We want absolutely everybody there,” explained Vicky Cooper-Johnstone, who used to work at the pub and now volunteers her help with the event.

“Last year we raised £2,500 and we would like to double it but we’ll see what happens. Everyone is affected by cancer and it’s all for a local charity which is why we support them - because charity starts at home.”

Entry to the event is free with entertainments for both children and adults including a bouncy castle, children’s entertainer, old steam engine, fire breather, face painting, live music, beer jugs, hog roast, pizza, cake stalls, market stalls and more.

Vicky added: “There’ll be paella cooked outside in the front gardens by the landlord Richard as he and his wife Bridget lived in Spain for a while.

“A lady called Wendy Barker who makes sports bags and swim bags for kids is coming, and the auction is a also big thing.”

Prizes in the auction include tickets for Hickstead, Ghd hair straighteners, Brighton and Hove Albion memorablia, tickets for Goodwood, a year family membership donated by the Cermaic Shack which is worth £105, a £50 voucher for jewellery at Sakanini bespoke jewellers in the Carfax and more.

“We went out in Horsham asking for donations and the support we had was really good,” she added.

Vicky described the charity day as ‘memorable’ with the choice of charity being ‘for ‘personal reasons’.

She explained: “It seems everywhere you go in Billingshurst, someone has been diagnosed, having treatment or knows someone who has got cancer. Macmillan offer support to everybody and they can’t do that without fundraising.

“When Mark and Tanya Sullivan had the Six Bells, they used to do a similar charity day.” she continued. “I was 10 or 11 when those days went on and I still remember them. They were really special days.

“I’m really excited and I think the community really needs to get together. It’s things like this that really brings everyone out enjoying themselves and is one of those days that you always remember.”

If you would like to donate to the auction call 01403 782124.