A TOWN centre pub has raised nearly £10,000 for various charities through a unique event that sees footballers come and share their stories over a few pints.
Mia Eaden, who owns Eaden’s Bar, came up with the idea for the Sunday Seshs from her dad, former Barnsley FC player Nicky Eaden.
Using his footballing connections, guests like Neill Collins, John Hendrie and Paul Heckingbottom have visited the pub for the ticketed event, with money raised being donated to different local charities.
Mia said: “They get up with my dad and host Dave Cooper to tell stories.
“Then there’s opportunities to get photos and signed prints – local artist Neil Richardson will do prints for us that attendees can get signed and we’ll auction off signed shirts and things.
“Charity representatives will come in to tell a bit about what they do and how the money raised will be used.
“People love it, we’ve got regulars who’ve come to all nine of them.
“I think the guests open up a bit more and tell stories they wouldn’t in other interviews and people love that.”
Over nine events, they have raised a total of £9,031 for charities including Help 4 Homeless Veterans, Barnsley Foodbank and Matthew’s a Friend In Me.
The latest event was on Sunday with former Barnsley player Adam Hammill to raise funds for Barnsley Hospital Charity.
“We’ve got further guests lined up,” Mia added.
“Mick McCarthy will be coming in the new year – we planned on doing them every month but organising and getting guests to come can be challenging.
“But we’ll be getting more and more guests coming, it all depends on who people ask for.”