Publican's last-ing efforts

A publican has been serving up the fund-raising spirit with a calendar and a fashion show to boost the coffers of a charity which helps runaway children.

Phil Rogers, who bought the Black Lion, Firbeck, three weeks ago, has wasted no time in making his mark with fund-raising efforts set to raise around £1,150 for SAFE@Last.

He has sponsored the calendar created by editors of the Firbeck, Letwell and Gildingwells community newsletter, FLAG, in aid of SAFE@Last and soldiers' charity Help For Heroes.

And Phil followed that up by bringing all the glamour of the catwalk to the pub for a fashion show in aid of the Dinnington-charity.

One hundred copies of the FLAG calendar, featuring images of the three vilages, are set to raise £500—to be split equally between the two charities—on the back of encouraging early sales and the fashion show returned more than £900 for SAFE@Last.

Phil said: “I'd not been in the pub long when Martyn Sharpe, from Letwell Parish Council, approached me to sponsor a calendar featuring pictures of the area.

“I agreed because it looked like a great way to support SAFE@Last and introduce myself as the pub's new owner.

“I've supported SAFE@Last where I could in the past and I intend to carry on now I’m in the Black Lion.

“The fashion show was a fantastic success. We sold more than 160 tickets.”

SAFE@Last’s head of operations, Mark Smith, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the support from all at The Black Lion pub.

 “Thank you to Phil Rogers and his team for their fantastic work which makes a real difference to children at risk through running away.”

Copies of the FLAG calendar are available from the Black Lion, New Road, Firbeck, priced at £5.