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Charity walk in memory of Medway quiz master Robert Clark, whose son runs Dead Pigeon pub in Rochester

09:49, 26 August 2021

updated: 09:49, 26 August 2021

A popular pub quiz master died a month after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 54.

Robert Clark passed away at his Chatham home at the end of July after being told he had the disease.

Popular quiz master and newspaper man Robert Clark
Popular quiz master and newspaper man Robert Clark

Now his family are doing a charity walk from his son's pub in Rochester to a brewery in east London to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

They have already raised more than £8,000 of their £10,000 target, even before setting off on the 31-mile trek on Monday from The Dead Pigeon.

The 14-strong-team of family and friends are taking part in the charity's 31 Miles in August campaign which encourages participants to do at least one mile of activity throughout this month.

Robert's 91-year-old father Derek is doing his bit by walking a mile each day of the month and donating £31.

Landlord Jamie Clark said: "I know we are mad but we're doing it all in one day. It's the thought of the beer at the end of it that will keep us going."

Robert and Lucy Clark on their wedding day
Robert and Lucy Clark on their wedding day

Robert used to head a family pub quiz team.

When a vacancy came up for a quiz master to host at venues in Medway and Maidstone he took it and became well-known with regular quizzers across the region.

Among the pubs he worked at were the Dead Pigeon, the Tiger Moth, Chatham, and the Druids Arms, Maidstone.

During the lockdown Robert, who lived in Alamein Drive with wife Lucy, took on a job as a driver for the pub delivering hundreds of take-away meals to customers.

He met his wife Lucy, 57, when they were commuters travelling from Rainham to London.

Dead Pigeon landlords Tom Mudge (left) and Jamie Clark
Dead Pigeon landlords Tom Mudge (left) and Jamie Clark

Jamie added: "Dad had apparently been suffering a sports injury and hobbled over the platform and asked her out."

The couple married in 1987 and have two other sons Ashley, 30, and Joss, 29, who along with Jamie's wife Rachel, 29 will all be taking part in the walk.

Jamie, who runs the pub in High Street with business partner Thomas Mudge, said: "It's amazing how much we have collected so far and shows just how popular and well liked my dad was."

The 33-year-old is keen to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer as well as funds for research. Unlike other cancers, more than a half of those diagnosed die within three months.

Robert had worked for William Hill bookmakers as well as in the marketing and newspaper industries.

"It's amazing how much we have collected so far and shows just how popular and well liked my dad was."

He was on the founding team of Kent on Sunday, starting in distribution before running the layout and design department.

His hobbies included cricket and football. He was the former chairman of Omega 92, Gillingham and Rainham- based football club.

To donate to the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-dead-pigeon-pub

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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