A husband and father described as 'the heart and soul' behind his pub has died at the age of 39. Chris Whelan, the landlord of The George & Dragon in Lichfield, was remembered as a 'hero' by punters and friends following his death this week.
A JustGiving fundraiser has been set up to support his family. As of May 23, over £3,900 has been raised, surpassing the £3,000 target.
Tributes from the Community
The Duke of York, another pub in Lichfield, paid tribute to a 'much-loved' friend, describing Whelan's death as 'a devastating shock'. In a social media post, The Duke of York Lichfield wrote: 'This week we sadly lost Chris Whelan, the heart and soul behind The George & Dragon. A much-loved husband, father, son, friend and genuinely amazing man who touched so many lives.'
'Chris wasn’t just a pub landlord… he was someone who brought people together, created laughter, friendships and unforgettable memories. A true hospitality hero and a huge part of our local pub community.'
The post continued: 'To Andy and myself, Chris was a dear friend and the founder of our Men’s Sunday Darts Club, a man who always knew how to create a buzz, get everyone involved and make people feel welcome. At just 39 years old, this loss has come as a devastating shock to everybody who knew and loved him.'
Support for the Family
'A funeral at such a young age was never something his beautiful family expected to face. We are trying to do what we can to help support Chris’s family during this heartbreaking time and would be hugely grateful for any donations, no matter how big or small. Every penny will help ease some of the pressure and show Emma and the family just how loved Chris truly was.'
The fundraiser aims to provide financial support for Whelan's family, with all proceeds going to them. The community has rallied together, with donations pouring in from locals and friends.
