Horse & Jockey joining community fundraiser to install defibrillator

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Horse & Jockey pub in Heywood

The Horse & Jockey pub in Heywood is joining forces with 11 other Greater Manchester pubs to raise £18,000 for emergency community defibrillators.

The event, dubbed Superhero Saturday, will see cyclists meet at the Horse & Jockey this weekend (16 October) to cycle 56 km using 12 Proper Pubs-owned venues as checkpoints on the route. Those taking part are being encouraged to dress up as their favourite superheroes for the ride.

Launched by Mark Knibbs, Business Development Manager for Proper Pubs, part of the community pub group Hawthorn, the initiative will kickstart fundraising for the defibrillators which cost £1,500 each and will be available to local communities in the case of a life-threatening emergency.

The Horse & Jockey hopes to install its defib outside the pub for accessible use.

Mark and three members of staff from Hawthorn – along with anyone else looking to support the fundraising – will follow a set route consisting of 12 Proper Pubs stops.

After the start at the Horse & Jockey, the peloton will visit Bear on the Hill, Oldham; Town Hall Tavern, Oldham; Bricklayers Arms, Failsworth; Daisyfield, Bardsley; Old Ball Inn, Smallshaw; New Inn, Ashton Under Lyne; Commercial, Dukinfield; Owd Joss, Hyde; Lord Nelson, Gorton; Thatched Tavern, Stockport, before finishing at the Queens, Bredbury.

Heywood's Horse & Jockey will also be hosting a bake sale and raffle to assist in raising the funds.

Mr Knibbs said: “I’ve been really moved by stories of people who have lost loved ones when a defibrillator could have saved a life.

“Many pubs are the beating heart of their local community so our aim is to raise funds and purchase this equipment for as many of our pubs as we can. It is so important that our Proper Pubs operators are heroes within their communities, and it’s fantastic to see these pubs come together to support us in raising the funds they need to be able to purchase these vital pieces of lifesaving equipment.”

To find out more, or to donate, please visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mark-knibbs-1