A Patcham couple will take tea at the Mayor’s Parlour on Friday in celebration of their years of charitable work and giving to good causes within the local community.

Gayle and Paul Newman, joint managers of the Ladies Mile public house in Patcham, will join Mayor Bill Randall and Caroline Lucas MP for tea and cake at the Mayor’s Parlour from 10-11 on 17 May.

The Newmans are familiar faces in Patcham, both for the music and talent nights they host at the pub and for their fundraising efforts, through which they have raised over £25,000 for 15 local schools and charities such as Brighton Heart Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas, who organised the event, said she was delighted to be able to recognise the couple’s commitment to serving others in the city and to helping to protect much-valued local services.

Their work includes raising £1200 to maintain the Carden Tots children’s centre in 2011, which was facing closure. Largely thanks to their efforts, the centre remains open today and is used by hundreds of families every week.

Gayle Newman said:

"Paul and I have always been dedicated to raising money for worthy causes even before we ran The Mile.

"Unfortunately, life has a way of throwing illnesses at people and some are less fortunate than others - so if by raising money we can make situations like these slightly easier, then there is a certain feel good factor.

"Without the help of our customers, family and friends, we would not have been able to achieve this – they certainly know how to pull together to help others.”

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion said:

"In these difficult economic times, it is hugely inspiring to see people like Gayle and Paul taking such an active interest in bettering the lives of their neighbours and improving their community.

"I look forward to seeing them on Friday and paying tribute to their hard work over the years, and the great contribution they have made to valuable local services and facilities."

ENDS