By Gillian McKenzie
THE number of pubs and bars hosting events to raise funds for those affected by the Australian bushfires in recent weeks is nothing short of incredible.
As the extent of the devastation began to emerge, operators and bartenders rallied to do what they could to help, organising all sorts of events and raising thousands of pounds.
It’s just the latest example of the altruistic nature of the Scottish trade – something which is so often overlooked by those outwith the sector.
But the charitable endeavours of pubs, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs across Scotland deserve huge credit.
From collection tins on bars, to venues like Glasgow’s Cathouse nightclub pledging to raise £30,000 for a range of charities this year to mark its 30th anniversary, to Dundee bar 3 Session Street’s Tay It Forward initiative to provide meals for the homeless community, to Scotland’s bigger multiple operators raising tens of thousands every year for charities, to this month’s Scottish SPCA Great Scottish Pub Quiz, in association with SLTN, which will see outlets the length and breadth of Scotland host quizzes to raise money for the animal welfare charity – the range of fundraising activities and the huge amounts raised by the Scottish trade are not insignificant.
And, of course, many pubs give a huge amount of support to local groups right across Scotland.
It’s all yet another example of the vital role venues play in their communities and beyond.
