If you love laughing, and you love the borough, then why not head to a pub in Kingston this Valentine’s Day and have a chuckle for charity?

On February 14, the second annual Love Kingston Day takes place, as residents, businesses and organisations raise funds for Kingston-based good causes.

It is the single biggest fundraising event organised by the Love Kingston appeal, that supports five charities providing pathways out of poverty for the borough’s most in need.

The Willoughby Arms, in Willoughby Road, has joined the campaign by donating a percentage of ticket sales from its monthly comedy night – and will continue to do so every month thereafter.

Willoughby Arms landlord Rick Robinson said: “I was introduced to Elaine [Miller, fundraising manager of Love Kingston] through a customer.

“I’d not heard of Love Kingston, but we like to give to charity, especially if it helps our community.”

The show is being organised by events company Gr8 Nights Out, run by comedian Jennifer Gray, who said: “This will be the third night we’ve run for the Willoughby Arms, and it’s going to be a monthly event.

“This month, a percentage of ticket sales will go to Love Kingston, and this will be for every month from now on.

“We had a smashing night in January, when the pub was packed to the rafters, so make sure you get to the Willoughby and get your tickets in advance.”

 

This Is Local London:

Rick Robinson and Jennifer Gray

This year, Love Kingston fundraising manager Elaine Miller has set the ambitious target of raising £100,000 from the day alone.

And her hopes were given an extra boost this week when Shrewsbury House School, in Surbiton, announced it would be staging its sponsored charity run – its major annual fundraiser – on Love Kingston Day, in support of the appeal.

Headmaster Kevin Doble said: “The annual sponsored charity run has taken place for a number of decades and is a wonderful event, involving all our pupils, supported by their parents and the wider school community.

“I am so delighted our boys have chosen such a worthwhile community charity to benefit from this year’s run and we are very much looking forward to further developing our partnership with Love Kingston.”

For information on getting involved with Love Kingston Day, call Elaine Miller on 020 8255 3335 or email elaine@londoncf.org.uk.

To book tickets for the Willoughby Arms Love Kingston comedy night, call 020 8546 4236