The Castle in Cold Ash hosting cider and sausage fest to fund employee’s Borneo trip

A pub in Cold Ash is holding a fundraising event on Saturday (tomorrow).

The Castle is hosting its own Cider and Sausage Festival in aid of an employee’s expedition trip.

Sixteen-year-old Clara Stafford will be venturing out to Borneo on a four-week expedition with Camps International next April.

But the Thatcham teenager is needing to raise £4,500 before she sets off for the trip to Asia.

Pub landlords Paul Jagger and Mary Knight and colleague Katy Crawford are hoping a day of food and fun at the pub will bring in some funds to help her out.

The Castle will have live music throughout the day and a hog roast in the evening.

There will also be a big ‘mega raffle’ for which local businesses have provided prizes.

They have lined up a series of musical entertainers to keep everyone entertained.

Miss Stafford said: “I am both excited and scared in equal measure about my trip, but I am determined to make the most of it.

“I know there will be challenges along the way but I think it will be excellent for building resilience for personal growth.”

She added: “I want to step out of my comfort zone [in Borneo] and do something that I know will help me come out of my shell a bit more and improve my confidence.

“And I know it will be a really great experience being able to help people from a different side of the world.”

For the past year Clara has been baking cakes in the kitchen of the pub and says that she loves her job and is grateful for the support from her friends at work.

She encouraged anyone thinking of embarking on a similar trip to just do it to gain experience and learn new skills.

She said: “I am going to be doing projects in the community there, so I will be learning physical skills and I am going to be trekking through the rainforest.

“I am nervous, but I know it will be an amazing opportunity.”

Colleague Katy also did a sponsored silence today to bring in additional funds.

Katy doesn’t have an online fundraising page but anyone hoping to donate can do so in person.

The Cider and Sausage Festival will is on Saturday (September 23) from noon to 12.30am at The Castle on Cold Ash Hill.