National treasures Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford front HEINEKEN’s Brewing Good Cheer campaign which brings people together in pubs across the country this festive season –
- Heineken launches its annual nationwide Brewing Good Cheer campaign by hosting 180 pub lunches and get-togethers for thousands of people over the festive period
- Now in its fourth year, TV favourites and celebrity couple Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford are supporting Brewing Good Cheer by hosting a pub lunch in Shepperton to show how the great British pub is at the heart of communities up and down the country
- Guests from St Saviour’s food bank in Sunbury and Langley Haven Dementia Care Home charities receive a real treat when Santa and his cheerful helper are unveiled as the popular pair
- Watch Eamonn and Ruth surprise guests at The Red Lion pub in Shepperton here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PufL4JcyqM&t=1s
TV favourites Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford are fronting a campaign to bring good cheer and community spirit to pubs across the country this festive season, as part of HEINEKEN’s mission to help raise awareness of the important role pubs play in bringing communities together.
HEINEKEN is giving a Christmas treat to hundreds of charities up and down the country by putting on over 180 events during the festive period for people who don’t often get the change to enjoy their local.
The much-loved married couple, Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford surprised guests from community foodbank St Saviour’s Sunbury and care home charity Langley Haven by dressing up as Santa and Mrs Claus to host a pub lunch for both charities at The Red Lion pub in Shepperton.
Volunteers from the foodbank, alongside members of the local community who have called on the services of the foodbank in the past, attended the lunch with residents and carers from Langley Haven, a care home supported by the community and volunteers.
The pub treated guests to a three-course lunch and drinks in a room full of laughs, Christmas carols and great conversation with Ruth and Eamonn.
TV star and national treasure Eamonn Holmes said: “Pubs have always been a meeting point for our family, and it was great to host this lunch alongside Ruth, to bring a bit of festive spirit to the community. It was great fun to surprise the guests as the big man himself – Santa! Spreading love and cheer is what this time of year is all about and what better place to do it than the pub.”
Ruth Langsford added: “I love this time of year and so it was a real privilege for Eamonn and me to team up with Heineken to launch its annual Brewing Good Cheer campaign. This campaign is all about the importance of community spirit and the vital role pubs play in bringing people together, and we couldn’t agree more! Over the past few years these lunches have helped bring thousands of people together, in their local pub, which for many is their local community.”
Tina Baker, spokesperson from St Saviour’s Sunbury, said: “Being involved in a day like this is amazing. To be able to sit and talk, and enjoy great food and drink is a real treat. Volunteering at the food bank can be very emotional, so being able to enjoy a meal together at such an important time of the year is really vital to our wellbeing. And to have Eamonn and Ruth here, well, that’s the icing on the cake!”
Brewing Good Cheer was launched in 2016 and has helped bring together thousands of people from all walks of life in the last four years to network and make new friends over a festive lunch at their local pub.
David Forde, Managing Director for Heineken said: “Pubs play an incredibly important role in bringing people together. They’re hubs of communities in every village, town and city. They don’t discriminate and welcome all walks of life, and they are so much more than just a place to have a pint. Together with pub landlords up and down the country we’re using our Brewing Good Cheer campaign to shine a light on local pubs as vital spaces and so often the pillar of communities across the UK.”
Through its Star Pubs & Bars business, Heineken owns 2,700 pubs across the UK, and demonstrates that the Great British pub is often at the heart of communities and a place where people from all walks of life can come together.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About HEINEKEN UK:
Headquartered in Edinburgh, HEINEKEN is the UK’s leading pub, cider and beer business. The company owns around 2,700 pubs as part of its Star Pubs & Bars business and employs around 2,200 people. We are passionate about our cider and beer brands and the outstanding service that we offer to our customers. Our unrivalled portfolio of brands includes Heineken® 0.0, Heineken®, Foster’s, Strongbow, Kronenbourg 1664, John Smith’s, Bulmers, Amstel, Birra Moretti and Old Mout, backed by a full range of niche and specialty brands.
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About St Saviour’s Sunbury:
St Saviour’s Sunbury is a community foodbank. It supports the community in Sunbury and surroundings who are in poverty through a foodbank and weekly community lunch – acting as a local hub for isolated people in the community to come together.
About Langley Haven:
Langley Haven is a dementia care home supported by the community and volunteers. It provides the highest quality of holistic residential care within a homely and family environment – specifically for those with dementia.
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For further information, contact Joanna Dring (Joanna.DRING@heineken.co.uk)