Coffee with a Cause: St Giles Hospice Opens Café 83 at Barton Marina

A new café is preparing to welcome visitors to Barton Marina this November — and every cup of coffee will help support a very special cause.

There is something rather lovely about enjoying a coffee beside the water, watching the boats drift past and taking a little time out from the bustle of everyday life.

From Thursday 5 November 2026, visitors to Barton Marina will have another reason to stop and stay awhile, as St Giles Hospice opens Café 83, its very first café venture.

But this isn’t simply another place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or a slice of cake. Café 83 has a much bigger purpose: helping to generate vital income to support the hospice’s care for local people and their loved ones.

A Name with a Special Meaning

The name Café 83 is a tribute to 1983, the year St Giles Hospice was founded.

More than four decades later, the hospice continues to provide care and support to people across Staffordshire, North Birmingham and surrounding communities.

The new café represents an exciting step in the charity’s efforts to develop sustainable ways of funding that work.

With increasing demand for hospice services, ventures such as Café 83 offer people another simple, enjoyable way to make a difference.

Coffee, Cake and a Waterside View

Situated beside the Mooring and Boat Sales building at Barton Marina, Café 83 will enjoy a quieter position overlooking the moored canal boats.

With seating for 40 people, the café promises a welcoming place for residents, walkers, boaters, families and visitors exploring the marina.

The menu will include breakfast and lunchtime favourites such as bacon and sausage sandwiches, toast, teacakes, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, baguettes and sausage rolls.

There will also be cakes, hot and cold drinks, a children’s menu and an all-day selection, with bar snacks available during the evening.

And there’s good news for dog owners too: four-legged visitors will be welcome, with water and treats provided.

More Than Just a Café

St Giles hopes Café 83 will become a popular gathering place for the local community.

As well as everyday visits, the venue will be available to hire for private celebrations, including birthdays and baby showers.

The venture also marks an important development in the hospice’s fundraising activities, complementing its network of charity shops throughout the region.

Every purchase will help contribute towards the charity’s work supporting people living with terminal illnesses and their loved ones.

Opening Day — And a Free Coffee!

Café 83 officially opens on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 10am, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.

And there’s an extra little treat for early visitors!

The first 50 customers through the door on opening day will receive a free coffee.

It’s a lovely way to celebrate the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for St Giles Hospice.

A Café Worth Supporting

Whether you’re taking a stroll around Barton Marina, meeting friends for lunch or simply fancy a peaceful coffee beside the boats, Café 83 offers a wonderful reason to visit.

And knowing that your visit is helping support local hospice care makes that coffee taste just a little sweeter.

We wish everyone at St Giles Hospice and Café 83 every success with their new venture.

Visiting Café 83

Location: Barton Marina, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire

Opening: Thursday 5 November 2026, from 10am

Regular opening: Seven days a week — individual daily hours to be confirmed

Dog-friendly: Yes

Website: https://cafe83.co.uk

Further information: https://www.stgileshospice.com/news/cafe-83-barton-marina/

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St Giles Hospice Fundraiser Represents West Midlands at Pride of Britain Awards

A remarkable fundraiser who dribbled a football more than 2,000 miles from Morocco to the Midlands has represented the West Midlands at the prestigious Pride of Britain Awards.

Football coach James Lewis attended the national ceremony in London after being named the region’s Fundraiser of the Year.

His extraordinary fundraising achievements have helped raise more than £129,000 for St Giles Hospice, making him the charity’s biggest individual fundraiser.

An incredible journey for St Giles

James completed an 86-day challenge, travelling from Morocco to the Midlands while dribbling a football.

The journey was undertaken in memory of his father, who received care from St Giles Hospice when James was just 11 years old.

The challenge attracted considerable attention and support, helping James raise substantial funds for the hospice.

His fundraising page has now reached £75,680 for the challenge alone, while his lifetime fundraising total has exceeded £129,000.

The achievement earned him the West Midlands Fundraiser of the Year title in September and a place among 17 finalists competing for the national award.

Representing the region in London

James attended the Pride of Britain Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House in London, accompanied by St Giles Hospice events manager Sam Colclough.

Although the overall Fundraiser of the Year award went to 85-year-old Barry Walden from Hull, James’s selection among the national finalists was a significant recognition of his dedication.

Barry received the national honour in recognition of 65 years spent raising money for charities through his singing.

For James, the evening provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of fundraisers from across the country.

A proud moment for St Giles Hospice

St Giles Hospice Chief Executive Elinor Eustace welcomed James’s achievement and the recognition it brought to the charity.

His fundraising has made a substantial contribution to the hospice, which provides specialist care and support to people and families facing serious illness.

The challenge has also inspired young people, with James sharing his experiences in schools.

His determination, commitment and willingness to undertake such an extraordinary journey have made him an outstanding ambassador for the charity.

Pride of Britain television broadcast

The Pride of Britain Awards ceremony will be shown on ITV1 and ITVX on Thursday 22 October 2026 at 8pm.

For supporters of St Giles Hospice, it will be another opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of a fundraiser whose efforts have made such a difference.

James may not have taken home the overall national award, but his journey from Morocco to the Midlands has already secured something equally important: lasting support and recognition for a charity close to his heart.

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