A HORWICH brewery raised more than £1,800 for six different charities.

Bank Top Brewery Ale House brewed up £1,813.91 following 14 months of fundraising.

Starting out with a high profile Ice Bucket Challenge in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Bolton's oldest brewery went on to develop and sell lapel badges in aid of The Stroke Association, Parkinsons UK, Sharples Wrestling Club, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team and Derian House Children's Hospice.

Owner Dave Sweeney welcomed representatives of each charity to receive their cheque donations at the brewery on Monday, January 25.

Eddy Kavannagh, Head Coach at Sharples Wrestling Club, said: “I am overwhelmed by the support received, this amount of money will mean a great deal to the youngsters who use the facilities at the Club.”

Alison Jennings, Parkinsons UK Bolton Branch Membership Secretary, said that without the generosity of people like the brewery's customers the charity's work would not be possible.

Louise Lawless, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, added: “With around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes - it is vital that we have people who can raise funds for people affected by stroke.

"We’re incredibly grateful to Bank Top Brewery for their very creative and generous fundraising for the Stroke Association. The money will go a long way in helping to support people who are living with the effects of stroke, as well as their families and carers.”

Bank Top Brewery produced logo pin badges with 30p from each sale being donated to MNDA.

Following the popularity of the badges it commissioned a pump clip series of 12 badges, to benefit the other five charities, which have been on sale in Bank Top’s two pubs – The Tap and The Ale House along with the Brewery.

Mr Sweeney added: “It has been a pleasure to be able to present these cheques this evening, not only have our customers purchased pin badges but landlords have also made generous donations to the different causes which has boosted the final cheque amounts.”

The Team at Bank Top Brewery also thanked all who those who supported the fundraising and the charities.

The badges will remain on sale at both pubs and the brewery and every six months a new charity will be selected as beneficiary of funds raised during that period.