A PUB in Finchampstead has helped to raise more than £42,000 for charity.

The Queen's Oak, in Church Lane, was one of 130 Brakspear pubs across the country to join in a fundraising drive for Marie Curie over the last 18 months.

Representatives of the Henley-based pub operator and brewer presented the charity with a final cheque at the Chequers pub in Berrick Salome, near Wallingford, after licensees Mark and Sandra Duggan and their team raised £3,290 for the charity, placing them at the top of the fundraising leader board.

Brakspear's pub and head office teams raised money for Marie Curie in a variety of ways, ranging from the simple but effective collection tin on the bar to events lasting a weekend. In their support for the charity, Brakspear pubs hosted pub quizzes, beer festivals, golf days, live music nights, raffles and auctions, Easter Egg hunts, barbecues, family fun days and much more.

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said, "This was our second estate-wide charity partnership and we're delighted that our pub and head office teams have again risen to the challenge and thrown themselves into fundraising for Marie Curie.

"Many of our licensees, staff and their customers have been touched by Marie Curie at times of need, and were keen to help this charity that, like our pubs, is at the heart of local communities. We're very proud to have collected this sum, which will enable Marie Curie to do more of their great work helping people living with terminal illnesses, and their families."

Marie Curie Senior Partnership Manager Helen Stock said, "We're grateful fo Brakspear for their fundraising. Many of their pub teams put huge time and effort into organising events, on top of the demands of running their pub.

"The money they have raised will help us to care for more people affected by any terminal illness, providing emotional support and expert care to people when they need it most."