The Farmers Arms Hotel, on Larkhill Lane in Liverpool, is celebrating raising nearly £5000 for charity so far this summer. The pub held events for two causes, a Stars in their Eyes themed night for Cancer Research UK and a Family Fun Day in aid of Jack Axsworth and his family, a local boy suffering from leukaemia.

In attendance for Jack’s fundraiser was a six-foot T-REX, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and other life size children’s favourites, as well as a real tarantula, lizard, and a snake available for those brave enough to pet them. There was also a bouncy castle, face painting and glitter station and party food galore to tuck into and help raise money on the day – one brave young boy even had his head shaved to help bolster funds to support Jack.

The Stars in their Eyes event saw customers and the Farmers Arms team alike don their handmade costumes for the singing spectacle, that saw performances from the likes of Diana Ross and the Supremes and Jake the Peg, amongst many others. The pub awarded the best costume to its own Linda McCabe-Corson, who made her own Rio Carnival inspired pink outfit that was so impressive, people donated just to have their photo take with her.

Anne Houghton, Manager of the Farmers Arms, and her team have always played a big role in supporting their community, organising events throughout the year. Each of them plays an integral role in all of their fundraising initiatives, from costume design and live singing performances, to Anne securing the local emergency services to come along to Jack’s fundraiser for the children to sit in their vehicles. Over the years they have collected a vast amount of fundraising experience, as well as a huge props department, meaning that every event they have, is a special one.

Anne said: “It’s amazing to be able to do this kind of this for our community. And the support we get from our customers is phenomenal – this year, one of our regulars who is in her 80s, took part in the Race for Life event for Cancer Research in June, to help us reach our total.

“It was particularly heart-warming to be able to raise money for Jack and his family this year too. He is a wonderful boy and to be able to help him in whatever was we can, over what I know to be such a difficult part of his life, is the least we can do. I hope we’ll be able to continue to show our support in the months and years to come.”

The Farmers Arms Hotel, 1 Larkhill Lane, Liverpool L13 9BL