Toni Stevenson, who runs The Duchess of Kent on Brook Street, will take part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride on Sunday, June 15.
The pub attracts a mix of regulars, families, dog walkers and football fans, and is especially popular on Sundays.
With cask ales on weekly rotation and events like drag bingo, quiz nights and charity fun days, The Duchess has become a lively hub for the local community.
The event is organised by the British Heart Foundation and follows a route from Clapham Common to Brighton seafront.
She will part in the event with a few friends and is fundraising for the Institute of Cancer Research.
Toni told the News Shopper: “I lost my dad to liver cancer in 2016. I did the bike ride for the first time in 2018 and raised money for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance because that’s the charity he asked people to donate to instead of buying flowers.”
In 2023, Toni’s mum was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, a form of the disease with no cure.
Toni said: “She’s doing really well with treatment but she’s under palliative care. I wanted to do one big fundraiser for the both of them.”
The pub is located on Brook Street (Image: The Duchess of Kent) What started as one bike ride has become a much bigger campaign. With the support of family, friends and customers at The Duchess of Kent, Toni has organised months of fundraising events at the pub.
Toni said: “We’ve made matching T-shirts and started calling ourselves Sal’s Squad after my mum, Sally. It’s been a lovely way for the whole family to get involved, including the kids. We’re making memories and doing something positive at the same time.”
So far, the fundraising has included a bake off, drag bingo, a charity quiz and a group medium demonstration.
The bake off alone raised more than £200, with 11 homemade cakes entered and slices sold afterwards to customers.
Toni said: “It was just about trying to maximise what we could raise. Everyone paid £5 to enter and we sold all the leftover slices too.”
In total, more than £2,300 has been raised so far, with a target of £5,000.
Upcoming events include a cocktail party, two more drag bingo nights and a street party-themed fundraiser in July, with live singers, stalls, a magician and mini psychic readings. A final big fun day is planned for August 30.
Toni said: “That will be the last big event. After that I’ll round it all off and send all the money to the charity.
“I had to buy a new bike in January. I haven’t done loads of training, but I’ve done the ride before so I know I’ll make it to the end one way or another.”
Anyone who wants to support Toni’s fundraiser for the Institute of Cancer Research can donate online or attend one of the upcoming events at The Duchess of Kent in Erith.
