Barmaid’s £4,000 in charity tips

Kate Birtles and Andrew Thallon
Kate Birtles and Andrew Thallon are raising money for St Ann's Hospice

Part-time barmaid Kate Birtles does not want any tips. Instead, she would prefer  donations towards her fundraising efforts for St Ann’s Hospice.

Generous regulars at The Brook pub next to the tram stop at Brooklands have responded to her request in style, contributing almost £4,000 so far to the charity.

Family, friends and colleagues at Heyes Lane Primary School, Timperley, where she is a teacher are also supporting her fundraising efforts for St Ann’s Hospice.

Kate and friend Andrew Thallon, from Brooklands, ran the Manchester Marathon, one of several sporting challenges.

They are also took part in the Great Manchester Run on Sunday and various other runs to raise funds.

Kate’s grandmother Joyce Thompson, from Northenden, was a patient at St Ann’s where she died of cancer in January.

Kate, from Timperley, said: “My nanna was diagnosed more than three years ago and received Macmillan care at home, and treatment from St Ann’s Hospice where she was eventually an inpatient.

“The nurses were amazing and this is my way of thanking the hospice because I know they rely so heavily on donations.”

Brook manager Dave Barlow is also supporting her efforts, hosting a charity night which raised almost £1,500.