Fundraisers were held in the trade throughout January
BARS across Scotland have pulled out all the stops to raise funds for charities aiding the communities affected by the Australian bushfires.
Fundraising events, including barbecues and pizza and wine nights, took place throughout the month of January raising thousands of pounds for the cause.
Pilgrim Bar in Edinburgh hosted a charity karaoke night on Australia Day (January 26).
General manager Lewis Fraser told SLTN: “We brought in Australian beers and added a couple of Aussie extras, including a sausage sizzle and free Fairy Bread, to help make Australians feel at home.
“This was all planned in advance with Australia Day on January 26, but having seen the fallout of the bushfires, and with one of our own staff members being an Aussie and some of his family back home affected by the bushfires, we felt it could be a great opportunity to do our own little bit to help.
“We raised money for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and also The Irwin Foundation that was set up from Australia Zoo.”
Across the city The Globe Bar, near the Royal Mile, raised a total of £150 by holding a BBQ with bucket collections and a pub quiz on January 26.
A spokesman for the pub told SLTN that the venue’s owner, Old Town Pub Co, matched the final amount raised, bringing the total to £300.
“Old Town Pub Co’s chosen charity was the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery,” he said.
“The bar is particularly popular with backpackers and a lot of the trade that passes through the door is from Australia; two bartenders currently employed in the bar are also from Melbourne.”
Adelaide-born entertainment assistant, Kiatara Ball, organised a number of ‘it’s too damn hot’ events in locations including The Dam in Glasgow, 4042 in Edinburgh and Old Street Brewery & Taproom and Laki Kane in London.
Ball said: “I posted on hospitality pages looking for a venue to throw a gig.
“My first event was sponsored by Diageo. We raised £900 for the New South Wales Fire Service. 4042, the venue, made a large donation and the rest came from donations on the door.
“Our second event in Glasgow was an Australia Day celebration. Through sponsored stock by Monkey Shoulder, we raised £700 through drinks and raffles. Brookies Gin then matched our donations to reach £1000 and added a donation to Big Scrub, a national animal rescue service.
“Meanwhile, events under ‘too damn hot’ are being held in Japan, Adelaide and Melbourne, coordinated by friends of mine overseas. My overall goal was £3000 but we are already £1900 in and looking positive!”
