Staff and patrons of The Onyx Bar & Restaurant, Weymouth, part of the Kings Hotel Group, raised £889 for local charity ‘Staffie & Stray Rescue’ during a festive quiz night held earlier this month. The event welcomed 11 enthusiastic teams, a bustling crowd of patrons and even a few four-legged friends.
The dog-friendly venue, located within The Crown Hotel, Weymouth, saw its doggy donation boxes filled to overflowing with toys, treats and food generously donated by both customers and staff. The highlight of the evening was a VIP visit from Hattie, a beautiful greyhound cared for by the charity, who quickly became a crowd favourite.
Following the outstanding support from the community, the Kings Hotel Group has proudly announced that ‘Staffie & Stray Rescue’ will be their chosen charity for 2025.
Fiona King, Director of the Kings Hotel Group, expressed her excitement, telling KeeP 106: “We had such amazing support from our customers and staff for this event. They were so supportive and generous with the donations we decided that we would love to try and raise more for the charity to support the incredible work they do, so we have nominated them as our chosen charity for 2025..”
Across the group’s establishments, including The Crown Hotel, Hotel Rex, and The Onyx Bar & Restaurant, a series of fundraising events will take place throughout 2025 and each location will also host doggy donation boxes, welcoming contributions of treats, toys, and food for the dogs in the charity’s care.
To kickstart the partnership, The Onyx Bar & Restaurant will host a festive Christmas Eve Party on Tuesday 24th December, from 1 pm to 5 pm. Guests can enjoy a free buffet, DJ playing Christmas classics and contribute to the doggy Christmas donation box.
Sophie Vye, Welfare Operations Manager at Staffie & Stray Rescue, expressed her gratitude and told KeeP 106: “We are so grateful to Fiona and her team at Onyx for their incredible fundraising efforts for SSR, I am elated and cannot thank them enough! The dogs are going to very much enjoy all their food, toys and treats, too!”
Sophie also highlighted the charity’s ongoing needs during the festive season: “At this time of the year, our phones are non-stop, it’s such a busy time for us. Looking after dogs that have been abandoned or needing to be rehomed. We are looking for additional dog lovers to provide foster and forever homes for our dogs. If you think you can help, please visit our website and get in touch.”
Founded in 2014, the charity has rescued and rehomed over 839 dogs, providing hope and second chances to dogs that are often overlooked. Despite their affectionate and loyal nature, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are among the breeds most in need of rehoming due to lingering misconceptions.
For more information on how to support the charity or adopt a dog, visit: www.staffieandstrayrescue.co.uk
This Christmas Eve, drop in some treats into the Doggy Donation Boxes, enjoy some festive spirit and help support Staffie & Stray Rescue at The Onyx Bar & Restaurant’s free Christmas Eve Party.
Together, we can make a difference, one paw at a time.
Photo: From left to right Sophie Vye, Welfare Operations Manager at Staffie & Stray Rescue, Lisa Kelly from the Kings Hotel Group and Hattie the greyhound.