Regulars in a Wirral pub have raised over £3,000 for a local mental health charity.

Recognising that the issue of mental health had become more prominent in the media spotlight recently, staff and locals at Spital’s Mississippi Bar decided to hold an event to raise funds for The Open Door Centre in Birkenhead.

Plans were put in place after a group from the pub visited the Abbey Close premises and saw first hand how important fundraising was to provide vital mental health services.

Neil Quinn, manager of Mississippi’s, said: “The immense support from local businesses, our customers, and the wider community is unbelievable and is a testament to the local community spirit on the Wirral. 

“Without all of this, it would just not have been possible to raise this huge amount of money for such a worthy cause. 

“The work that the Open Door Centre does is incredible and all of the staff and customers of Mississippi’s are extremely proud to be able to have run this event enabling us to provide funding for the vitally important Open Door Centre. 

“The team there really are fantastic and we hope to run a similar event again in the future.”

The pub team contacted local businesses and individuals to ask for donations that could be used as prizes for auctions and raffles held on the night of the event.

They staged prize pool competitions throughout the evening and a fun quiz with all monies raised also going into the pot.

The main event and it’s various fund raising activities initially raised £2,156.

The Mississippi’s pool team and regular customers collectively donated an additional £500 from their own weekly bonus ball fund raiser, before the Mississippis’ management donated a further £500 to bring the total amount up to £3,156.

Operations Manager at Open Door Centre, Greg Edwards, received the cheque at the pub in person.

Mr Edwards told the Globe: “All of us at Open Door would like to thank everyone involved in making this fundraiser happen. 

"The work carried out by Mississippi’s customers, the pool teams and the bar itself is so massively appreciated. 

"We are very touched by the community response and this is a truly amazing example of how communities can come together to support charitable courses in a huge way. 

"As an independent charity, receiving fundraising donations goes an extremely long way in enabling us to support over a hundred 15-30 year olds each week from our centre in Birkenhead. 

"The money kindly donated will be used to directly fund our frontline support which there is a real need for across Wirral.”

The Open Door Centre supports young people who are suffering with mental health issues.

Anyone aged 15-30 can become a member and then access a range of services including Creative Therapeutic Support if you are feeling down, low, stressed or anxious. Membership is free, with no waiting lists.

For more information visit: theopendoorcentre.org

The team is offering an altered form of support during the COVID-19 pandemic but says it is very much still in operation if anyone is in need.