The Grapes Hotel praised for monthly fundraisers by Hexham residents

'Mr & Mrs Grape' Carla Rowley and her partner Lee Briggs says that their success is all down to the 'army' of staff and customers.

Carla said: "Any fundraising we do is a doddle because our amazing customers, family and friends are behind us 100% every time.

"In February 2022, we donated one van and five Fiat 500s full of clothes, medicine, nappies and other essentials to a church in Consett to then be taken to Ukraine

"Other fundraisers includes a charity gig where Pretty Vacant helped us raise £600 and donated their fee and recently we’ve been proudly helping our super brave friend and customer Sarah Kelly raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity after she turned her poorly spell into a positive.

"This month I’ve given up swearing and will be fining myself and trying to get sponsored to try and kerb my potty mouth. We are on track to raise another £100 this month alone.

"I’m also hoping to do an Ultrawalk in the Lakes in June this year for the Brain Tumour Charity.

"Even our daughter Esme has the bug since being dinky and has completed several pre lockdown “Seven Bridges Walks” for Kidney Research UK raising hundreds of pounds by taking to the pavements of Newcastle, walking seven miles across seven iconic bridges. Every Wear It Pink Day she bakes her heart out for Breast Cancer and in October.

"Our favourite charity night of the year is probably New Years Eve, where every year we choose a colour and purchase our outfits in our designated colour from a charity shop in Hexham. It is always a laugh to see who wears what and the staff in the charity shops fling their funniest clothes at us and they generally know what we’re all up to! 

"Like I say, it wouldn’t be doable without my little legendary army from the staff who always work super hard to help out, and often end up dressed like idiots for good causes, the customers who donate and the people who come to see me with suggestions."