Ellesmere pub’s quiz nights help raise £18,000 for local good causes

In the heart of Ellesmere, where conversation flows as freely as the ale, one pub has quietly become a cornerstone of local generosity.

Over the past 10 years, the Red Lion has raised more than £18,000 for charitable causes — an extraordinary achievement built not on grand fundraising campaigns, but on something far simpler: community.

At the centre of it all is the pub’s much-loved Sunday quiz night. Week after week, locals gather not just for a bit of friendly competition, but with a shared purpose — to give back. What might seem like a light-hearted evening of trivia has, over time, transformed into a powerful force for good across Ellesmere.

And it’s that spirit that truly sets the Red Lion apart.

Mayor of Ellesmere, Peter Jones, recently paid tribute to the pub’s efforts, highlighting just how remarkable this collective achievement really is.

“More than £18,000 has been raised right here,” he said. “That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s down to the hard work, generosity and commitment of Simon, Lois, the team, the quiz masters, and the loyal regulars who show up week after week.”

But beyond the impressive figure lies something perhaps even more important — the sense of belonging and shared purpose that has developed within the pub’s walls.

“People often talk about community spirit,” the Mayor added, “but at the Red Lion, you actually see it in action. A pint, a laugh, a bit of friendly rivalry — it all adds up to something that genuinely makes a difference to people’s lives.”

Every penny raised has gone directly back into the local area, supporting groups, individuals, and initiatives that might otherwise have struggled. From community sports clubs to smaller, often unseen causes, the impact has been wide-reaching and deeply felt.

For those involved, there’s a growing sense of pride — not just in the total raised, but in what it represents.

“It’s about people turning up,” said one regular quiz-goer. “You don’t have to do anything extraordinary. Just being there, taking part, and contributing — it all adds up.”

That ethos has been key to the Red Lion’s success. There are no barriers to getting involved, no expectations beyond showing up and joining in. It’s inclusive, welcoming, and unmistakably local.

And at the heart of it all are the people who make it happen.

From Simon and Lois, who have led the effort, to the quiz masters who keep the evenings lively, and the many regulars who return week after week — every contribution has played a part.

In an age where headlines often focus on challenges, the Red Lion stands as a reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together — not through grand gestures, but through simple acts of generosity, repeated week after week.

And in Ellesmere, that spirit is very much alive and well.