Our Jim’s now a national hero!
Jim and Naomi Woolley (centre). Photo by Paul Francis.
Linslade publican Jim Woolley has been hailed as an inspiration to others after being named the country’s first community hero in an awards ceremony this week.
Lucky Jim and his wife Naomi, who manage The Hare Inn, in Southcott Village, were presented with a cheque for £10,000, which they will be using to help others, at an event held in Cheshire on Thursday.
The Community Hero Awards were launched by Enterprise Inns to honour publicans who make inspiring contributions to their community.
The awards came from across the nation, from which 18 were chosen as regional winners with one being chosen as overall winner.
The Hare took the honour after showing itself to be a true community pub, from organising local events to benefit veterans and the homeless, to allowing local teams and committees to use the pub as a regular meeting place.
Jim has helped more than 150 local veterans and raised over £20,000.
The Hare was the first pub to be recognised as a Pub Hub by PTSD Resolution, a charity that strives to help veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder reintegrate into a normal work and family life.
The ‘Pub Hub’ initiative seeks to raise awareness of military PTSD and The Hare has taken the scheme on by raising funds for the charity, arranging therapy sessions for sufferers, assisting in re-housing and providing a sympathetic setting for veterans.
The initiative has now grown to include 25 pubs across the country.
The Hare’s commitment to its community has also been recognised by the Leighton-Linslade Town Council who made the manager, Jim Woolley, an Honorary Burgess in 2012 for his services to the community.
Jim and Naomi plan to use the £10,000 Community Hero Award to further the support services they offer the ex-service personnel, as well as extend the ‘Pub Hub’ concept across the country.
Jim was unavailable for comment as the LBO went to press.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
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Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
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