Nominate your Local Hero here.
Talent nights, musicalinspired events and an abundance of happy memories.
The Ladies Mile pub in Patcham has never been short of an action-packed event – or two.
But beneath the fun and frolics at the popular watering hole is a passion and determination that’s seen the pub’s two dedicated owners raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity and good causes.
Gayle and Paul Newman, managers of the Ladies Mile, are crowned this week’s winners of The Argus Local Hero Award.
Through their fundraising nights at the pub, the pair have raised more than £25,000 for 15 local schools and charities, including the Brighton Heart Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust.
They were also responsible for raising £1,200 to maintain the Carden Tots children’s centre in 2011, which is facing closure.
Largely thanks to their efforts, the centre remains open for the time being and is used by hundreds of families every week.
Gayle said: “Paul and I have always been dedicated to raising money for worthy causes even before we ran the Ladies Mile.
Feel-good factor
“Unfortunately, life has a way of throwing illnesses at people and some are less fortunate than others, so if by raising money we can make situations like these slightly easier, then there is a certain feel-good factor.
“Without the help of our customers, family and friends, we would not have been able to achieve this – they certainly know how to pull together to help others.”
The dedicated couple were nominated by Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion, below, who described the couple as “inspiring”.
She said: “In these difficult economic times, it is hugely inspiring to see people like Gayle and Paul taking such an active interest in bettering the lives of their neighbours and improving their community.
“It was wonderful to meet with them today and have the opportunity to pay tribute to their hard work over the years, and the great contribution they have made to maintaining valuable local services.”
Hundreds of heroes go almost unnoticed in our communities.
But The Argus is determined to give them the recognition they thoroughly deserve.
We have teamed up with housing repair and maintenance company Mears to launch our weekly Local Heroes
Award.
We are inviting readers to nominate their candidates and tell us why they have put them forward for the award.
Contact Kimberly Middleton on 01273 544519 or email kimberly.middleton@theargus.co.uk
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