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McManus Pub Company raising £50,000 for three charities in 2020 to mark 50th year of business

An £8,000 donation has been made to Cynthia Spencer Hospice from the owner of 17 pubs in Northampton after a gruelling static cycling challenge.

McManus Pub Company is raising £50,000 for three charities - Cynthia Spencer, Mighty Magnus and BacZac - in 2020 to mark its 50th year of business.

The challenge, where five pairs cycled 50km at 16 McManus pubs over 16 days in January, kicked the campaign off with the first donation made to help with the coronavirus pandemic.

(L-R) Tom McManus, Paul McManus, Gary McManus from McManus Pub Company during the static cycling challenge

Owner Gary McManus said: “It was a gruelling challenge and I am immensely proud of the effort put in by our staff and customers which resulted in us raising £23,610 - a great start to our goal of £50,000!

“Our initial plan was to divide the money between these three amazing charities at the end of the year after further pub fundraising events, our McManus Charity ball and golf day.

"Naturally things have changed so we reached out to the charities to see if they needed any support during these difficult times.

“We are still fully committed to reaching our £50,000 target by the end of the year and we are currently finalising plans on how we can do this in the months ahead."

McManus Pub Company started in March 1970 with the Thomas 'A' Becket in St James before investing in more pubs across the town and beyond.

The bike challenge started at Virgin Active Riverside before moving around the pubs, with Northampton Saints players, people from the charities, customers and staff all getting involved, culminating at Franklin's Gardens prior to the London Irish match on January 24.

The grand total of fundraising will be unveiled at a ceremony in January, where supporters, customers and staff will be invited to celebrate their efforts.

Cynthia Spencer fundraising manager John Helm said: “It’s fantastic to receive this donation.

“The cost of running the hospice is over £2.4 million, a large part of which comes from the generous support of local companies like McManus Pubs and individuals throughout the county.

"We look forward to working with them as they aim to reach their £50,000 target."

Donation made to Cynthia Spencer Hospice after Northampton pub owner's gruelling cycling challenge