The Community Blueprint of How a Pontefract Pub Raises £14,000 for Local Causes in a Year

A proper local pub is more than just a place to grab a drink, isn't it? It's the beating heart of a neighbourhood, a place where people connect, celebrate, and, when times get tough, pull together. In Pontefract, one pub has taken that idea to a whole new level.

The Malt Shovel, a Craft Union pub, has shown what a true community hub can achieve, raising an incredible £14,000 for local causes in just one year. This amazing local effort is part of a much bigger story, contributing to a massive nationwide fundraising total that proves the local pub is still one of the most important places in any town across the UK.

More than just a pint in Pontefract

Behind the bar at the Malt Shovel are its operators, Rob and Sammie Mirfin. Over the past year, they have made it their mission to bring everyone together—customers, local businesses, and the wider Pontefract community—to offer support where it's needed most. It’s not just about a few quid in a charity box. Their fundraising has helped a whole range of fantastic organisations and individuals. The list of those who have received support is a testament to their dedication to helping the local community.

Through a whirlwind of activity and countless donations, the pub has channelled funds to vital local causes that make a real difference to people's lives. These include:

• Pontefract Family Centre

• Prince of Wales Hospice

• CoppaFeel! (the breast cancer awareness charity)

• The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

• The Royal British Legion

• Piper’s Pathway

And it doesn't stop there. The support from this Pontefract pub has also extended to more than 50 local individuals and families who were facing hardship. This is community spirit in action, providing a safety net for people right on their doorstep. The effort by Rob and Sammie Mirfin shows how a pub can be a central point for positive change and a real force for good, providing consistent support for so many important local causes.

Getting creative with fundraising

So, how does a single pub raise over £14,000? It takes a lot of hard work, a bit of creativity, and a calendar packed with brilliant fundraising events. The team at the Malt Shovel have come up with some fantastic ways to get everyone involved in their charity mission. One of the standout moments was a gruelling 24-hour sponsored cycle held in support of CoppaFeel!, where staff and customers took turns to keep the pedals spinning for a full day and night. Imagine the atmosphere in the pub, with everyone cheering them on!

They also hosted a massive charity night to raise money for the Pontefract Family Centre, which brought the whole community together for an evening of fun and fundraising. Regular charity auctions have also been a big hit, with generous prize donations and experiences offered up by other local businesses, all keen to support the pub’s brilliant work. It’s this collaboration that makes such a big difference. But the fundraising isn't just limited to big, one-off events. The pub’s popular ‘Winging It Wednesdays’ offer a weekly dose of fun where customers can play games with a chance to win up to £1,000, all while raising money for good causes. It's a clever way to make giving back a regular part of pub life, turning a simple game into vital support for the community.

A community pulling together

While supporting brilliant charities is one thing, the Malt Shovel’s efforts go even deeper. The pub has become a place where people can turn during difficult times. They’ve stepped in with direct support for individuals, organising things like Christmas Day giveaways to make sure nobody feels alone during the festive season. They have also provided cost-of-living support for local people out of work and started fundraising drives for families facing unexpected crises. What’s truly special is that the regulars are often the ones leading the charge, grabbing collection buckets and rallying support for their neighbours.

The pub’s operators, Rob and Sammie Mirfin, are clear about why they do it. They said:

Everything we do comes down to giving something back to the customers, businesses and local community who support us 365 days a year. Our regulars are incredible, they always get involved, they’re not shy about grabbing a bucket and going round collecting for a good cause, and that’s what makes all of this possible.

They also spoke about being part of a larger movement: “We’re really glad to be involved in Craft Union reaching over £1 million for charity for the second year running. Even though we only contribute a small fraction of that total, it’s amazing to be part of something so big and to know we’re doing what we can to help our local community. We’re genuinely super proud of all the pub operators and regional management across Craft Union who get involved and make this possible.”

The bigger picture across the UK

The Malt Shovel’s amazing £14,000 total is a fantastic achievement, and it’s even more impressive when you see it as part of a huge nationwide picture. Every single Craft Union pub across the UK contributes to the 'Make It A Million' campaign through their own local fundraising, donations, and by volunteering their time. It’s a collective effort that shows the power of community pubs working together.

This news, announced on Monday, 9th February 2026, revealed that since February 2025, the Craft Union Pub Company has raised an astonishing £1,358,422 for charity nationwide. For the second year running, the pub company has smashed its £1 million target, reinforcing just how vital these community pubs are in towns and neighbourhoods all over the country. The Malt Shovel in Pontefract is a shining example of this spirit, showing how a local pub, its operators, and its incredible customers can make a world of difference, one fundraising event at a time.