Urban Pubs & Bars raise over £32k for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity with first-ever pub marathon

As part of its £250,000 pledge, Urban Pubs & Bars has raised more than £32k for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity through a first-of-its-kind pub marathon. On Tuesday 15 September, 80 staff and suppliers set off on a mission to visit all 67 Urban Pubs & Bars venues before the day was out. 

As London’s largest independent pub and dining group, the challenge was no easy feat: the group collectively covered 110km across six regional legs in over 16 hours. Many joined at different points throughout the day, while only four dedicated participants completed the entire route, starting at 6.30am at The George and Dragon in Wanstead and finishing at The Whippet in Kensal Rise around 11.30pm.

Among those taking part was Managing Director of Urban Pubs & Bars, Chris Hill. He commented: ‘The first ever Urban Pubs and Bars Marathon was a very special, if gruelling day. Safe to say we underestimated just how hard it would be to travel so far across London to visit all of our wonderful London pubs. The team of colleagues and suppliers remained so positive all day, and it was amazing to receive such warm welcomes at each pub.’

The £32k raised was double the original target, boosted by special donations from partners Lucky Saint and Franklin’s. Combined with wider fundraising efforts, Urban Pubs & Bars has now raised just over £200,000 of its £250,000 pledge to GOSH Charity’s biggest-ever fundraising appeal, ‘Build it. Beat it.’ The money will help fund GOSH Charity’s new Children’s Cancer Centre, specifically a new private bedroom designed to feel like home for children and their families, offering a place of healing, play and learning during some of the toughest times of their lives.

Hill continued: 'I am delighted we have raised over £30k for GOSH, doubling our initial target, meaning that we have now raised over £200k of our £250k pledge to support the building a new private bedroom at the hospital. I want to thank all partners on the day, especially Lucky Saint and Franklin’s who supported with sponsorship and provisions along the way.'

Founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring, Urban Pubs & Bars is one of London's leading venue groups, operating a wealth of pubs, bars and restaurants across London. 

Fancy attempting your own pub marathon? Check out some of the group's most popular pubs, including The Prince Regent (Herne Hill), Balham Bowls Club (Balham) and Opera Tavern (Covent Garden). Or, head straight to our list of London's best pubs to curate your own list.