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More on KentOnline
Friends and regulars of a much-loved pub have raised more than £9,000 to help NHS staff with meals at work.
The Bird in Hand in Dartford beat a £1,000 target in just seven weeks and will now be able to support staff working at Darent Valley Hospital even more than first hoped.
Following government guidelines, the venue has been closed since early November, but when publican Adam Joy heard of an appeal by the hospital to support staff who were working under immense pressure, he decided to help.
Adam rallied friends and regulars through the pub's Facebook page to raise funds to provide the NHS staff with a meal while on duty.
Originally, the dad of two wanted to raise £1,000 but he exceeded that within a week through donations, raffles and an auction of donated gifts.
After this success, the landlord organised a sponsored, pandemic-friendly 5km relay run.
That took place on Valentine's Day and involved more than 60 people running relays along various roads across Dartford at staggered start times.
The runners would set off from where they lived, or close to it, follow a designated route and finish up on the road where the next runner was waiting to set off.
Those taking part exchanged a virtual baton at a safe social distance.
Adam said: "Support for this was phenomenal.
"We held the relay on Valentine's Day to show our love for the NHS and what they are doing.
"Every runner wore a commemorative t-shirt that said 'To Our NHS Heroes, Keep going we’re right behind you! Friends and regulars of the Bird in Hand.'”
By Monday of this week, more than 1,800 staff meals had been given to Darent Valley Hospital since Monday, January 11.
All meals have been cooked and prepared by Adam with the help of his wife, Carol-Ann, his 22-year-old daughter, Caitlin, and his son, Jack, 16, in the pub kitchen.
The food has been delivered by Adam and his army of supportive pub regulars who take turns to deliver the meals.
Adam said: "What we’ve achieved has been phenomenal.
"The care, love and support for our staff working in the NHS has been overwhelming.
"Considering the pub has been closed for almost four months now, it’s a real community success story.
"People have not only taken part in the relay but they've also donated things like bikes, power tools and even a sofa for our auctions too."
A total of £3,231 of the £9,000-plus was raised through the pub's JustGiving page in support of the 5km relay run.
The remaining donations have been collected through raffles and auctions on the pub's Facebook page, here.
