The Grumpy Goat, in Bardwell, music night pushes Low Street families fund-raiser over £25,000 line
A village pub’s music night pushed a fund-raiser for families uprooted by a thatch fire over its £25,000 target.
The Grumpy Goat, in Bardwell, donated £2,000 to the parish council’s GoFundMe page for the five families affected by the blaze in Low Street, Bardwell, on April 19 after its event on Saturday.
Jane and Mike Allum, who run the venue, said the night was well attended and the show of support from the village, and beyond, was spectacular.
The five homes were decimated in the blaze, which at its height was fought by 16 fire crews.
Following an investigation, a fire service spokesperson said the most probable cause was a hot ember from the chimney igniting the dry thatch.
Jane said: “The Goat hadn’t donated yet and we wanted to give an amount to make a difference, and that was a way we could do our part. We were pleased and proud that we have been able to donate that amount. Bardwell is a great community, and this proves it.”
The event was mainly staffed by volunteers which helped to reduce the costs for the night, and Jane said the band really brought the atmosphere to the evening.
The £2,000 donation was the pub’s whole takings for the night, not just the profits.
Mike said: “It was a well supported event. You just can’t comprehend what those families are going through, so a massive thank you to everyone for the support.”
The amount on the parish council fund-raiser now stands at just over £26,000, and more will be raised with The Dun Cow’s event on Saturday, with raffles, auctions and live music.
David Ruffles, parish council chairman, said: “It’s almost getting eye watering, the amount raised.
“It’s just been amazing, people have been so generous. A huge thank you to The Grumpy Goat.”
Jane said Bury St Edmunds brewers Greene King, as well as Nene Valley donated some beer to the event which also helped to maximise the donations.
A spokesperson for Greene King said: “It was a pleasure to be able to support the Grumpy Goat with a firkin of beer for their fundraiser for such an important cause.
“Our thoughts are still with the families affected by the fire, and it will be great to see the funds raised help support them at this very difficult time.”
The event at The Dun Cow starts at 1pm. Among the prizes in the raffles and auctions are helicopter and plans rides, supercar experiences and other smaller prizes.
A live Facebook auction is also being held for two corporate tickets to the FA Cup Final on the Cars On Bardwell Village Green page.
The top bid is currently £250.
