The Old Crown in Great Bookham is to host a four-day programme of fundraising and community events across the August Bank Holiday weekend in support of local charity Billy’s Battalion.
The Heartwood Inn will stage live music, comedy, magic, family entertainment and a silent auction as part of Billy Wears The Crown, with donations collected throughout the weekend.
Billy’s Battalion was founded in memory of four-year-old Billy Thompson, who died from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a rare and aggressive form of childhood brain cancer.
The charity supports children and families affected by DIPG while raising awareness and funding for research into the disease.
Billy’s mum and co-founder of Billy’s Battalion, Ellie Thompson, said: “DIPG took Billy from us when he was just four years old, and there is still no cure. Everything we do through Billy’s Battalion is about changing that for the children and families who come after us.
“We’d love to see as many people as possible at The Old Crown over the weekend. Come and have fun, raise a glass to Billy and help us raise as much as we possibly can for research into this devastating disease.”
The programme will begin on Friday with live music from 7.30pm alongside a silent auction featuring donations from local businesses.
Saturday will feature stand-up comedy and magic between 5pm and 8.30pm, together with a brewery pop-up.
Sunday will form the main Billy Wears The Crown celebration, with a family-focused programme including face painting, superheroes, fairground games, a pop-up bar, DJ, fancy dress competition and children’s entertainment.
The weekend will conclude on Bank Holiday Monday with live music from 2pm.
Lukas Ackermann, General Manager at The Old Crown, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be hosting this event and to support such a special charity that means so much to the Bookham community.
“Billy’s story has touched so many people locally, and we wanted to create a weekend that celebrates his life while bringing the community together to have fun and raise as much money and awareness as possible.”
All donations raised during the weekend will support the ongoing work of Billy’s Battalion.
Thompson added: “We feel incredibly lucky to live in a community that continues to remember Billy and stand behind us in everything we’re trying to achieve in his name.
“Billy was such a huge character, so a whole weekend of music, superheroes, silliness and people coming together feels like a very fitting way to celebrate him.”
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