A KNUTSFORD pub has raised more than £2,000 for East Cheshire Hospice with help from an impressive ‘penny pile’ collected from punters over 12 months.

On February 20, the Falcon Bearer, in Longridge, held a fundraising evening of live entertainment for the Macclesfield based hospice.

More than 50 businesses from around Knutsford, Mobberley, Alderley Edge and Holmes Chapel donated a range of prizes to the raffle, which helped to make a total of £2186.

Allan Taylor, proprietor of the pub, said: “There were a lot of businesses who helped us with this, and we want to thank them for all of their support. They have been absolutely fantastic.

“We raised money for the East Cheshire Hospice because a few people round here have relatives there, they do an absolutely fantastic job.

“It is all voluntary, they only get so much money and it is expensive to run. They make people’s lives very comfortable.

Guests were invited to donate money for homemade chilli con carne and curry, and local band Slug performed a set, donating their time for free.

One of the main events of the night was when the ‘penny pile’, which has been built up of loose change since last February, was pushed over.

“It is our second year with the penny pile, the year before we used the money raised for a cancer charity,” said Allan.

“It took us 14 hours to count it all. And I would like to thank the volunteers, Jim Walker, Lisa West, Claire Taylor and Charley Ashton.

“It would be great if other pubs could get involved in the Penny Pile. If we all did it we could all try to raise money for a chosen charity. All the local pubs used to do it but for some reason it stopped. It’s a really good way of raising money. People always have loose change and it’s quite easy to part with.”

Among the long list of businesses who donated raffle prizes were Pulse of Perfumery, Gusto, Knutsford Nails, Innovations, Dads and Lads, Guy’s barbers, Curzon Cinema, the Legh Arms, Don Giovanni’s, JPS taxis, Cottons Hotel, Knutsford Leisure Centre, the Amber Lounge, the White Bear, Mere Resort and Spa and Mobberley Village Bakery.