Meet Patrick Thurlby, Your Tiger Local Hero 2010
Posted on 2nd July 2010
Patrick roared to victory seeing off tough competition from the other 16 finalists in the campaign, which aims to reward unsung members of the community for their contribution and support to local causes.
A former pub landlord, Patrick is now a focal figure in his local the Lathkil Hotel in the village of Over Haddon near Bakewell.
He is often compering quizzes, running events such as whisky tasting nights or organising charity raffles in the pub. He is also very active with local events such as the Easter Egg Hunt and Annual Village Show.
Patrick said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be named Tiger Best Bitter’s local hero. The support from the community was fantastic and I’m really grateful to every single person that took the time to vote. I understand votes came in from as far afield as France, New Zealand and Australia!
“I’m 73 now and I intend to continue doing as much as I can for the community for many years to come because I love everything I do. I don’t expect to win awards for it but they are a nice added bonus.”
The competition’s prize fund is made up of £500 for the winner and an additional £500 for their chosen charity, but kind-hearted Patrick has chosen to donate the entire £1,000 to the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity and Ashgate Hospice.
Patrick said: “Sadly my brother died from cancer earlier this year. I’m so grateful for the care he received from the amazing staff at Weston Park Hospital and I’m delighted to be able to make this donation. Friends have also been cared for by Ashgate Hospice in recent years and I wanted to thank them too.”
Alongside Patrick’s charity and voluntary work he also still works delivering prescriptions to people who can no longer leave the house.
Erika Hardy, marketing manager for Everards Brewery, which brews Tiger, said: “We had a tremendous response to our search for a local hero and people voted in their thousands for their most deserving winner.
“Patrick can truly be described as a pillar in his community and that is exactly what we were looking for. We knew pubs were the ideal hunting ground for unearthing such heroic achievers.”
Patrick will also be given the opportunity to see Tiger Best Bitter being brewed with up to 11 friends at Everards’ Castle Acres brewery in Narborough.
Click here to see photos and videos from the official Tiger Local Hero 2010 Awards Ceremony.
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