IT WAS celebration time at The Lyndon pub recently as local community fundraisers marked four years of bringing in vital cash for good causes – and having fun at the same time.
Organised by Olton resident Laura Wright, the Lyndon Community Friendship Group lays on coffee morning bingo, raffles, bric-a-brac sales and more every Thursday morning from 10am to midday at The Lyndon.
Helps comes in from friends and family, including Katherine Hickox, her cousin, who is landlady of the pub.
Now attracting between 30 and 50 people every week together they’ve raised close to £8,000 for good causes such as Solihull Minds, Age UK Solihull, Birmingham Children’s Hospital neonatal unit, Birmingham Dogs Home, the Friends of Solihull Hospital and West Midlands Ambulance Service.
They are also frequently joined by a local special needs group to spread the love.
“I came up with the idea to try and do something to help isolated groups in the community,” said Laura.
“And it’s snowballed from there, we’ve had people coming together, families reunited and all sorts, and it’s all be supported by The Lyndon.”
And Laura reckons fundraising must be in her blood.
“My grandmother used to do a lot of charity work and I used to accompany her – it makes me think of her when I do things now.”
It’s still a family affair now – Laura’s mum and dad are the group treasurer and baker and the mum of three daughters often sees the eldest help out when she’s not away studying at university.
“It’s a really happy group – we’ve been celebrating our fourth birthday and it’s just nice to bring people together,” said Laura.
