Celebrating Community Spirit: The Guild Get Together Raises £900 for Charity!

Over the August bank holiday weekend, Wot Wud U Do Educational Services and The Guild Pub came together for an unforgettable day of fun, community, and charity at The Guild Get Together event. With the aim of raising funds for three incredible causes—Macmillan Cancer Support, The Mary O’Gara Foundation, and The Walnut Group—our local community showed up in full force to make a difference.

The event brought people from all walks of life to The Guild Pub for an weekend packed with fun activities and live music . Whether attendees were there for the raffle, the charity auction, or just to enjoy a pint and some good company, the atmosphere was one of togetherness and generosity.

The begining of The Guild Get Together

The idea for The Guild Get Together was sparked by Jules, a 16-year-old from the local area, who needed something meaningful to do as part of her role within Wot Wud U Do. Jules chose one of the charities, The Walnut Group, and was supported in organizing the charity event to bring people together for a good cause.

Jules’ enthusiasm and fresh perspective were the driving force behind the event and helped plan everything, from the fundraising activties to coordinating the live music lineup (with the help of her brother a local musician called Jazz). What started as a simple idea to give Jules something to do turned into a full-scale community event that raised an impressive £900 for charity.

Fun and Fundraising for a Cause

From the start, the energy was contagious. The raffle prizes, generously donated by local businesses (Total Fitness, Spires Barbershop, Springfield Motors, TheBespokeBox, and Jewel tyres), saw participants vying for everything from retail vouchers to unique handmade crafts. The auction, featuring standout items like limited-edition artwork and branded sun-brellas and deck chairs, contributed significantly to our fundraising efforts.

To boost our fundraising efforts, we organized a series of mini-tournaments, including football darts and an obstacle course, both of which were a big hit. The football darts winner scored an impressive 46 out of 60, and the obstacle course champion completed the course in just 33 seconds, with both winners receiving £60 Sports Direct vouchers.

The highlight of the day, however, was the men’s and women’s tug-of-war tournaments. Winners from each group earned £60 bar tabs. To keep things fair, we randomly drew team names out of a hat. Both contests were closely matched, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and a strong sense of community, setting the perfect tone before the live music kicked off.

Our entertainment lineup, featuring talented local musicians, set the perfect backdrop for a day of giving back. The live performances kept the crowd buzzing, creating a positive and uplifting vibe that carried through the entire event.

Community Engagement

The Guild Get Together was more than just a charity event—it was a celebration of community, wellness, and talent.

In addition to the tournaments, we hosted a series of yoga workshops led by Jess Cheyne Yoga, giving participants a chance to unwind and connect through movement and mindfulness. The calming energy of these sessions allowed everyone to take a break from the busyness of the day, offering a moment of relaxation and reflection.

Adding to the excitement, we were also treated to an exhilarating Jiu-Jitsu demonstration by Craig, who runs his classes above The Ferret. His demonstration not only captivated the audience but also highlighted the skill and discipline involved in this martial art, offering attendees a glimpse into the world of Jiu-Jitsu.

Both the yoga workshops and the Jiu-Jitsu demonstration showcased local talent and gave participants a taste of new experiences. These activities also aimed to inspire more people to get involved with local clubs, and it worked! One club reported a significant increase in membership, a clear sign of the positive impact of our outreach and community engagement efforts. By providing a platform for these clubs to shine, we were able to help foster a sense of belonging, encourage new members, and build active participation within the community.

Supporting Vital Causes

We are thrilled to announce that The Guild Get Together raised an incredible £900, which will be split equally between three deserving charities:

• Macmillan Cancer Support: Providing essential physical, emotional, and financial support to people living with cancer.
• The Mary O’Gara Foundation: The funds will be used towards their latest awareness Campaign which they are running in September, for a month. It is a huge call to action for the people of Preston to help save lives by becoming more suicide aware.
• The Walnut Group: A Preston based charity that supports men with prostate cancer, funds will go towards helping newly diagnosed men navigate their journey and providing emotional and practical guidance.

This event was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit here) and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our community, local businesses, and everyone who attended. Special thanks go out to The Guild Pub for hosting the event, the volunteers who helped organize everything, and everyone who donated prizes and time to make this day a success.

The Guild Get Together was not only about raising funds for important causes but also about strengthening the bonds within our community, promoting wellness, and showcasing the incredible talent we have right here at home. We look forward to continuing this tradition and bringing even more people together in the future!