Video: Britain’s biggest pub tour brings Santa Claus to town

Britain’s biggest ever pub tour came to Worksop on Wednesday afternoon as the town became the latest area to stamp the giant passport traveling up and down the country.

Organised by the Stonegate Pub Company, the giant passport initiative has been put together to try and raise £100,000 for Variety, a children’s charity, and will visit all 620 pubs under the company’s license. The initial target, though, has already been eclipsed with over £260,000 already being raised.

With all the different regions using weird and wonderful methods to get the passport across the country, Worksop, Retford and Gainsborough all opted for a Christmas theme - and it went down a hit on Victoria Square.

Families ans children turned out to take part in the fundraising event with Worksop’s Yates’ holding cake stalls and array of games during the two hour period that the passport was there.

After a slight delay, Santa climbed aboard his sleigh just before 2:00pm to take the passport to its next location in Retford.

Terry Holford, Area Manager at Stonegate Pub Company and regional BBPT coordinator, said: “The teams at our pubs and late night bars in Worksop, Retford, Gainsborough and Doncaster have really got behind Britain’s Biggest Pub Tour with bags of enthusiasm and endless fundraising ideas. Watching an army of Santa Claus’ running through the towns in hopefully, blazing sunshine, will be quite a sight! The five businesses aim to raise £2,500 for Variety, the Children’s Charity which supports disabled children and their families nationally and locally.”

“This is our biggest charity fund-raising initiative to date and we are well on our way to raising thousands of pounds to make the lives of many families and their children that little bit easier. We also hope that our 12,000 strong team of fundraisers and our fantastic customers have a great time along the way!” Toby Smith, Chief Executive of Stonegate Pub Company, added.

The passport will continue its tour around the country culminating with a spectacular party at Slug and Lettuce, Tower Bridge, after the 19 week tour on Friday 26th September.