Cranleigh landlord thanks locals for support in school fundraiser

John Taylor, owner of The Richard Onslow in the village successfully completed the gruelling run between Eastbourne and Seaford on Saturday 21st March and in the process raised £3,500 to help the school buy a new outdoor table tennis table.

Thanks to the generosity of locals, pub regulars and his pub company Peach, John managed to raise more than £1,500 above the amount needed to buy the new equipment, funds which the school will put towards other much needed equipment on its wish-list.

“I’m so chuffed to have completed the marathon – my first – and to have raised so much money for the school,” says John.

“It’s a fantastic result on both counts and I can’t tell you how delighted I am. I was completely blown away by the response I got to my plea for sponsorship.

“We were inundated with emails of support and sponsorship pledges and I’d just like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who dug deep to support me.

“It was a very long and very tough challenge and there was a moment when I felt I might not get through it.

“But the thought of the great cause and all the support I had behind me kept me going and over the finish line, exhausted but exhilarated! Thank you to all our guests, friends, family and colleagues who donated,” he says.

Shirley Illsley, fundraiser at St Joseph’s adds, “We are overwhelmed by the support John has generated from his marathon and can’t thank him enough for all his efforts. I know John joins us in thanking everyone who has donated towards St. Joseph’s Specialist School.

“The total he has raised is incredible and means we shall soon be buying our outdoor table tennis table, which is very exciting!”

Each child who attends St Joseph’s has learning difficulties and almost all struggle with basic communication, making everyday like for them and their families difficult.

Additionally, their disabilities often mean they can’t make use of community sport and leisure facilities so the amount raised by John will help them buy new sports equipment of their own.

John hopes to be present to play the inaugural game of table tennis when St. Joseph’s Specialist School takes delivery of its new equipment soon.

In the meantime, anyone who still wants to sponsor him can do so by going to his Virgin Money Giving page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JohnTaylor32 or by popping into The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh to make a donation.

For more information about St Joseph’s Specialist School & College, please go to

www.st-josephscranleigh.surrey.sch.uk

The Richard Onslow is in the heart of Cranleigh Village, at 113-117 High Street, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8AU. Tel: 01483 27 49 22 www.therichardonslow.co.uk

Report and picture contributed by The Richard Onslow, Cranleigh .