Donington Arms raises five-figure sum for charity in two years - as owners aim to give back to the community
A family-friendly pub near Coalville has raised an impressive £20,000 for charity over the past two years.
The Donington Arms, in Donington le Heath, has set up a series of fundraisers since coming under new ownership a month before the Covid lockdown over three years ago.
Owner, Karl Stevenson, says it is all about giving back to the community, with organisations such as Macmillan, LOROS, local schools and the Donington Arms' Christmas toy appeal all benefiting as a result.
As well as that, the Donington Arms is planning an expansion for the Manor Road pub-restaurant, which is set to almost double the size of the current building next year.
Karl told Coalville Nub News: "We had a Macmillan coffee morning last month which raised £1,750. Our other company, Stevensons MOT Centre in Coalville rounded it up to £2,000.
"But over the last two years, we've raised over £20,000 for local charities.
"Now we're preparing for the Christmas Toy Appeal. We help families that might be struggling in the area, and deliver the toys in the week before Christmas.
"We kick off the appeal by buying £500 worth of toys. Then we fill our cars with them so that they can be distributed along with ones that have been donated."
Karl says that he and his family-run pub recognise the importance of the community they live in.
He added: "You just want to give a bit back, don't you?
"We have a great community feel to this pub, and people want to get involved in doing something good. They all want us to beat the previous year's total funds raised for charity.
"But we work seven days a week and came through Covid, we've been here three years now and re-named the pub to what it used to be called.
"We want to welcome families here and this is all part of it."
Karl says the pub's charity work continues through the year.
He added: "We have the Blast Fest in April. One of our locals is in a band and he lost his stepdad.
"His last words to him were 'Life's been a blast'. So, we do that in aid of LOROS."
The Donington Arms, now a Coalville Nub News sponsor, also has a wood fired pizza oven, where the pizzas are freshly made, and these are available to eat in or takeaway.
There is also a popular carvery on Sundays, Pie Night on a Wednesday, Burger Night on Thursdays and Steak Night on Fridays. There is also a specials board which changes weekly.
Plans to grow the business progressed after getting planning permission to extend the building, which will mean additional kitchen space to cater for more dining.
Karl said: "There'll be more seating for eating.
"Plus, we're having carveries, a quiz night, a bingo night and we could do with some extra space."
Karl added: "This is a growing business and we want people to come here and enjoy themselves.
"Sometimes on a Sunday, we're so full that we can't accommodate people. The carvery's doing really well for us.
"Our Bingo Night is now upstairs, as well as downstairs because we're so full.
"And for the Quiz Night, it's full every time.
"Once the work's finished, we're hoping to stage more music here, because then we'll have more room."
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