Thousands handed out by pub's boss

The Fareham Pub held a presentation at which landlord Martin Munns gave £18,487 to a range of organisations and charities.

The pub in Trinity Street holds fundraisers throughout the year and for every pound raised by its loyal regulars, Martin matched it.

He said: ‘I’m pleased with how much we have raised. It is a phenomenal amount.

‘We like to help groups in the area so we can see where the money goes. In the last two years we have raised £34,628.

‘It’s a fantastic achievement and to invite the groups down to hand over the rest of the money was great.’

The cheques were handed out on Monday with four organisations receiving the last of the cash.

Stubbington Parkinson’s Association got £800, Ickle Pickles received a cheque of £500 and St John Ambulance got £300.

The family of six-year-old Charlie Harris, from Portsmouth who has leukaemia, got money.

Their charity Kicking Charlie Children’s Cancer Charity got £400.

Charlie’s mum Marie, from Hilsea, said: ‘It was lovely for them to support us. We were really grateful. It will help us as a charity starting out and it was nice for the pub to consider us.’

Now the pub has donated all the cash, Martin is looking ahead to his next fundraising venture.

He wants to give three or four apprentices financial support for their first year.

Money raised by the pub and its customers will be split between those chosen.

Jamie Kemp was the first apprentice selected. The 24-year-old, from Fareham, runs his own chocolate firm. Martin gave him £400 for some new equipment to expand his business.

Jamie said: ‘Ever since I went to Costa Rica I wanted to become a chocolatier. To get financial help for first year is a big help. I’m really grateful to Martin.

‘The pub has always been really supportive, I cannot thank them enough.’

Martin added: ‘We wanted to do something different this charity year.’