Stubbington pub fun day draws hundreds in memory of former barmaid

The Cuckoo Pint, in Fareham Road, Stubbington, held a fun-packed day with live music on Saturday in aid of charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

General manager Kate Hopkins started the annual event three years ago to honour her friend and former barmaid, Sarah Williams, who died aged 25 in 2007 from sudden adult death syndrome.

Sarah’s parents Kevin and Tricia used to manage the pub, before moving to run a B’n'B in Cornwall in 2015.

Sarah’s sister Kate, from Stubbington, thanked everyone who took part and donated money or their time.

She said: ‘When Sarah passed away, it hit my parents pretty hard.

‘But they are very happy in Cornwall now, and it’s quite fitting that we have such a great day at the Cuckoo.

‘The pub is always the go to place for the community – if you go down everyone knows everyone there.

‘Sarah was a big part of the community, and I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who came down to the pub.’

General manager Kate said more than 500 people attended throughout the day, with many in attendance having a personal connection to the ‘surprisingly common condition.

She said: ‘The drummer of one of the bands that played lost his daughter to sudden adult death syndrome.

‘People are surprised at how common it is for young people to die due to cardiac conditions.

‘Every week in the UK 12 fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions.

‘The event is a chance to raise money in honour of all the people we have known who have been affected by this.’

More than £1,050 was raised throughout the day, with visitors enjoying a BBQ and live music from bands including Tangerine Tantrum, Headstock, Soul Patch, and Black Smoke Rebellion, and Class of 69.

The pub, which is owned by Greene King, runs two fundraising days for Macmillan every year.

Kate said she would also like to organise a day to support district nurses.

She added: ‘But I think I need to recover from the weekend first.’