Derbyshire pub raises thousands on annual charity walk

Staff and regulars at a Derbyshire pub have raised thousands of pounds for local cancer and palliative care services through their annual charity walk.

The bar team and the customers at The Royal Oak in Tibshelf held their third annual charity walk across the Derbyshire and Nottingham borders.

Two hundred people wearing pink walked six miles from the Fox and Crown in Skegby back to the Royal Oak on a winding route, taking in three more pubs on the way. In doing so they raised £6,300 for local cancer and palliative care services.

This was the latest of a growing list of community initiatives and fundraising events supported and championed by the Royal Oak landlady Cassie Rye and her all-female bar team, Mimi, Chelsea, Charlie, Lianne, Billie, Conni, Laci and Millie.

Supported by her dad, local business owner Steve Rye, who saved the pub from extinction in 2023 after being closed for two years, Cassie and her team have helped to raise more than £30,000 for local causes and charities over the last three years.

This has included money to support the maintenance of the Parish Church and the scenic Tibshelf Ponds in partnership with the Tibshelf and Newton Fishing Club. Children’s, cancer, dementia and palliative care charities have also received thousands of pounds.

Alongside all of this, Cassie and her team organise, host and subsidise children’s Christmas parties and events throughout the year.