Let's drink to that: Mug giveaway raises over £1k

BBC Look North presenter Peter Levy has been at it again - giving away a collection of mugs featured on the show.

Levy's Mug of the Day segment started last year after the broadcaster came up with the idea of giving community groups, charities and sports clubs a moment in the spotlight on the regional news programme.

His latest giveaway took place at Hemswell Market on Sunday, and raised more than £1,100 for the BBC's Children in Need appeal from people giving donations.

Levy said the generosity of people had been "overwhelming".

One of those able to get their hands on a prized mug was Yvonne Fletcher, who had a specific piece of crockery in mind.

"I'm buying my own mug back," she said.

"I sent it in at the beginning of April advertising a dog show for the end of the month in Tetney, in aid of St John's Methodist Chapel.

"We raised £2,500," she added.

Fletcher said having the mug featured on the regional news programme had "really helped us with our promotion", with dozens of people saying they had seen the mug featured on Look North.

"It was exciting, we were so pleased," she said.

Levy added: "If that isn't showing how it works, that's unbelievable."

Meanwhile, Ian Paterson travelled to the market to get his hands on a Hykeham Sailability mug, which he said was featured on the show a few months ago.

Sailability is run by the Royal Yachting Association, and organises sailing for people with disabilities.

"I volunteer as well, sailing, and my friend does specifically Hykeham Sailability," Paterson said.

"They've got all sorts of boats like trimarans and boats that don't capsize, and they are very busy throughout the year."

He said the Mug of the Day feature on Look North helped to promote different charities and groups to a wider audience.

"And then you can get involved in something like this [the mug giveaway] and it makes it even better," he added.

The final two mugs of the day went to Aimee and Lynn Ledger, who had to make "a dash across the car park" to secure the items.

"It might not have been pleasant but we did it," Lynn said.

She said it had been a fantastic day, and a fantastic response from people donating to Children in Need.

Stallholder Kev Taylor also donated £100 to the appeal.

Others praised the presenter for the support he had shown to local groups and charities, with one man adding: "Don't tell Paul Hudson, but it's the best part of the show."

Levy, whose first mug giveaway took place in December last year, said he was blown away by the generosity of people.

He described the Mug of the Day segment, which came about after he was asked to feature a Hull City mug on the programme, as a "win, win", with groups and charities getting a slot on TV and money being raised from the mug giveaway.

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