A DEDICATED landlady is celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious national hero award. 

The Swan in Thornbury is one of just 15 pubs from across the country to reach the finals of the Community Pub Hero Awards. 

Landlady Sandra Davies has raised more than £160,000 for charities and has fundraised for appeals in Thornbury, Bristol, Ukraine and Turkey. 

The pub has hosted a huge variety of fundraising events including afternoon teas, fish and chip suppers, a knitathon and a 24-hour dart marathon. 

Sandra will now attend an event at the House of Commons at the end of March where the winner will be revealed. 

Sandra, who reopened the pub 12 years ago, told the Gazette, she was feeling ‘lucky’. 

“I'm still not sure who nominated me and why they chose to nominate me,” she said. 

“We are just a community pub on the High Street that tries to do the best for the community that we are lucky enough to live in.  

Gazette Series: Landlady Sandra Davies has raised more than £160,000 for charities with the help of her regulars and customers Landlady Sandra Davies has raised more than £160,000 for charities with the help of her regulars and customers (Image: The Swan)

“We raise money mostly for the community because if it wasn’t for the people and support then we would still be here almost 12 years later.”

“I would like to thank the staff, customers and suppliers who have supported the Swan for all the kind donations to our appeals.

“Without all the support of Thornbury we would never ever have been able to get to the final 15.”

Money has been donated to local charities such as Thornbury Stroke Group. 

Next month the pub is fundraising for Alzheimer and Dementia charities as Sandra’s parents both suffered with the disease. 

The pub will be running a weekly quiz every Wednesday in March. 

The Community Pub Hero Awards was launched in 2018 and runs three categories for pubs inlcuding Community Support Hero, Charity Fundraising Hero, and Community Regular Hero. 

Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts and the winners will be announced in March, with all finalists invited to a presentation at Parliament. 

Organiser Des O’Flanagan said: “Our heartfelt congratulations go to The Swan. 

“Choosing the finalists from a very strong set of entries was a real challenge and those pubs who have reached the shortlist should be very proud of their achievement.

“Judges were hugely impressed by the stories from so many pubs, who have raised astonishing sums for charities, or provided incredible support for local people. 

“The awards demonstrate, once again, that pubs are a force for good in their communities.”