AN Andover pub has celebrated a recent milestone for its landlords with a special night to raise funds for a children's charity.

Anne and David Watkins celebrated a milestone occasion of 17 years in their tenure at The Forester Arms with a massive horse racing event.

The pub arranges a number of horse racing nights throughout the year, where customers can pay £2 and become a racer, an owner or a jockey for the evening. 

Customers can bet on pre-recording races with winners receiving a cash prize, and all extra donations going to Dreams Come True, a wish-granting charity for children and young adults with serious and life-limiting conditions.

The pub also holds regular quizzes and raffles with the aim of raising money for the charity.

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The pub has also been raising money for local Alzheimer's and Dementia charities.

Landlady Anne said: "We have had a number of our customers who have suffered with Alzheimer's and Dementia, so it felt appropriate to try to raise money for these charities that help so many people. Dreams Come True is also a fantastic charity and one we are so happy to have been supporting since 2015."

On June 20, The Forester Arms raised £532 for Dreams Come True, with the total donated since they began supporting the charity in 2015 standing at £8302.20.

Anne said: "Really the amount we have raised is a testament to our fantastic staff and customers who have turned up and continuously supported us over the years, and that is something we are both proud and thankful for."

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Click and drag the slider below.

July 4, 2023, marked 17 years since Anne and David Watkins have been at The Forester Arms, with the slider above showing a before and after photo of Anne, David and their son Tavis, firstly in 2009 and now in 2023, 14 years apart.

Anne added: "It's had its ups and downs over the years, but overall we've had a fantastic time. We've had lots of good times and lots of laughs with our brilliant customers and staff, and we're so thankful for the great spirit that we have built with our community here at the arms."