This Saturday is the 22nd Santa Claus Pub Crawl but few know the real story behind it. The fun event for charity started with Neil Webster gathering some friends together to promote responsible drinking. It now attracts 10,000 people and is recognised as one of the top 10 pub crawls in the world. And there has been no major alcohol related violence or anti-social behaviour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Webster is passionate about people drinking alcohol responsibly because of what happened to him on Christmas Eve in 1997.
“I was attacked by five guys leaving a pub in Hurstville,” he said.
He spent weeks in hospital with his jaw broken in two places, three cracked ribs and concussion. He lost 13kg eating with a straw. “Since that day I've vowed to not only bring some Christmas spirit back, but to also help change people’s attitudes towards socialising with alcohol at pubs”.
Mr Webster said the enjoyment, fun, laughter and friendships each year in Wollongong showed what was possible while raising $100,000 for the Salvos.
