Family of Elsie touched as pubs raise thousands to boost charity

THOUSANDS of pounds has been raised in just six weeks for a charitable cause - thanks to the efforts of several pubs owned by the Joseph Holt brewery in Manchester.

- BY ROB CURRELL

Elsie Dot Stancombe was one of three children murdered at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last July in Southport which led to a charitable trust started by her parents to honour their daughter and help others.

Sixteen pubs under the Joseph Holt umbrella who own multiple watering holes across the North West came together to raise funds for Elsie's Story.

The charitable trust was established in the spirt of Elsie's "positivity, love for others and energy of life" to give grants to support young people and others in Elsie's name. This will be done through community projects, medical care and general support for individuals and families.

The pubs raised £8,387 in a month-and-a-half for the cause after landlady Jess Lucas from the Hayfield pub in Ormskirk started supporting Elsie's Story.