From quiz nights to darts matches and carols to bowls challenge … just some of the events held to raise money for a bladder scanner

Colin and Sue Pearce have been landlord and landlady at the Greyhound, in Ixworth, for the past 41 years.

And during that time they have helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

Over the past seven years they have been responsible for raising nearly £40,000 for the My WiSH Charity which supports the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and includes the hospital in Newmarket as well as the West Suffolk Hospital.

From an exercise bike for the physio department to cots for babies in the maternity unit and training tools for the breast unit to a machine which helps children with asthma for the respiratory department … just some of the items they have been responsible for funding.

Now their latest efforts have resulted in £8,795 being collected and handed over to the charity to help purchase a bladder scanner for the hospital in Bury St Edmunds.

Their bonds to the hospital are deep as Colin, who lost a leg over 10 years ago, was treated for a collapsed lung prior to the Covid outbreak and spent 18 days in the respiratory unit. Sue was also treated for breast cancer and their granddaughter was also cared for in the intensive care unit.

“We owe a lot to the hospital,” said Colin. “And we are just helping to put something back so that everyone else can benefit from it.”

Over the past 18 months they have held a series of events and fundraising initiatives at the pub which culminated in the grand total being raised.

They included quiz nights, crib league matches, bowls and darts matches against the village bowls club, a Christmas golf match and Christmas Carols.

Colin also chopped wood which was sold for kindling, there were also bucket collections, donations from customers along with sales from a book and puzzle shelf.

“We set our sights on trying to raise enough money for the bladder scanner and we were successful,” said Colin.

“We started raising money for My WiSH when I lost my leg about 12 years ago and we bought some equipment for the rehab unit. We have an association with the charity and we always try and do our best to help them.”

Sally Daniels, fundraising manager for My WiSH, said: “Colin and Sue are just amazing. They are passionate about supporting us and have made such a difference over the years. We know they don’t do this alone so huge thanks too to all their friends and customers who support them with their fundraising.”

Sally continued: “We love to try and show what donations have bought and so it was really special to be able to introduce Colin and Sue to Ashley and Jonah. As staff they could explain what a difference having their own bladder scanner on the ward has made. We couldn’t be prouder to be The Greyhound’s chosen charity.”