Business backs tug of war for charity

MORE than 10 businesses in Henley have donated raffle and auction prizes to the annual House of Lords versus Commons charity tug of war contest.

The event, which will takes place in Westminster Abbey gardens on Tuesday, involves businesses going head to head in eight tug of war matches and culminates in a competition between the two Houses of Parliament for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Andy Trotman, of Wharfe Lane, Henley, who chairs the event, helped organise businesses to donate prizes and experiences to the cause and has arranged to take residents to the contest.

He said: “I am astonished by the generosity of the people of Henley and by the sheer breadth of their giving to so many deserving causes locally and nationally.

“Dozens of Henley people have booked to come at £75 per head, so I have organised a coach to take them to Westminster and bring them back at the end of the evening. The pubs, restaurants hotels and clubs of Henley have been enormously generous in gifting meals and weekend stays.

“Holly Mothersole, who is working hard to gather such treats, and I have had only one refusal. I really can't imagine that any other town is quite as generous.”

The businesses which have donated prizes are Al Forno, Reading Road, the Little Angel, Thames Side, Coppa Club, Bell Street, the Bull on Bell Street, the Argyll, Market Place, all Henley, the Bottle and Glass Inn, Binfield Heath, the Swan in Streatley, Orwells and the Baskerville, both Shiplake, Leander Club, Ophelia Ray Art, and the Red Lion, Peppard Common.