SINCE 1931 regulars at the pub that gave its name to Fitzrovia have been raising money for children’s outings by attaching notes to darts and firing them at its ceiling.
Last week Sally Fiber, the granddaughter of the couple who started the novel fundraising tradition, returned to the Fitzroy Tavern – where she was born – to hand over a cheque for £1,000 to Fitzrovia Youth in Action.
Until World War II, Pop Kleinfield, landlord of the Charlotte Street pub, collected the money from regulars and used it to take more than 500 city children on trips to the country.
The fund was later taken over by his daughter, who formalised the charity in 1956 and named it Pennies from Heaven, after its unusual beginnings. Last week’s presentation marked the end of the charity’s 70-year history
Mrs Fiber, 83, who now lives in Northwood, Middlesex, with her husband Arthur, said it had become easier for the darts to hit their target since the ceiling of the pub was lowered in a refurbishment.
She added: “I have very mixed emotions about today. It is lovely to come back to the pub but I don’t like to think about it being the end.”
She thanked the current landlord, Peter Deiulis, whose daughter Gabriella, 8, is only the second person to be born in the pub, for “keeping the Fitzroy flag flying”.
Old photographs documenting the pub’s colourful past can be seen on every wall. They feature film stars like Norman Wisdom who supported the charity.
Andre Schott, who started the Fitzrovia Youth in Action group in 1997 with friends, said: “Like Pennies from Heaven we’re a local charity started up by local people.
“Similarly, we will spend the money on a trip for young people.”