CHARITY bosses have been left feeling “overwhelmed” after a popular pub and its generous customers raised more than £1,000 for their organisation.

The Candles Down Syndrome Charity, based in Colchester, has been presented with £1,253 by The Artilleryman, in Artillery Street.

The windfall was generated with the help of landlords Sue Moore and Jim Green and pub employees, who arranged fundraising barbeques and raffles.

Karen Rutherford also contributed to the overall total after embarking on a testing six-mile swim all in aid of the worthy cause.

Kerrie Chadwick co-founded the Candles Down Syndrome Charity along with other parents as a way of providing more opportunities for those with the genetic condition.

She said: “It all started with my mother-in-law Denise Chadwick asking Sue and Jim if they could sell a few raffle tickets for a memory bear she had made.

“But they ran away with it and held barbeques and raffles of their own – they raised an amazing about of money.

“We are so overwhelmed by the support they and their customers have shown.”

The money was presented to Kerrie’s daughter, Isabella, five, outside The Artilleryman in the form of a large cheque.

A spokesman for the pub said: “We are so, so proud to announce we raised £1253.82 for the Candles Down Syndrome Charity.

“Big thank you to everyone who donated. We really appreciate you all.”