{"id":415166,"date":"2024-09-15T20:37:14","date_gmt":"2024-09-15T19:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/?p=415166"},"modified":"2024-09-24T16:18:24","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T15:18:24","slug":"the-vics-mike-mckenna-a-big-bermondsey-character-whose-life-was-framed-around-promoting-the-good-work-of-others","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/the-vics-mike-mckenna-a-big-bermondsey-character-whose-life-was-framed-around-promoting-the-good-work-of-others\/","title":{"rendered":"The Vic&#8217;s Mike McKenna &#8211; a big Bermondsey character whose life was framed around promoting the good work of others"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A big man with a big heart to match \u2013 that is what anyone would say of Mike McKenna, and his sudden death at just 66 years of age will come as huge shock to generations of Bermondsey people.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For 40 years Mike and his brother Pat have been running the Victoria pub on Pages Walk \u2013 the longest running publicans in the area.&nbsp;<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"69959\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448384\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">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<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>This towering figure in the pub and advertising trade was a Bermondsey boy through and through, despite being born in Germany of all places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His father Jack was in the Coldstream Guards at the time and Mike was born in an army hospital in the Rhine region on 12<sup>th<\/sup> March 1958. &nbsp;The family lived in many homes and barracks and he attended three schools in just one year.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"68153\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448385\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMjg1ODMwMzQ1MiIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWNvbnRlbnQgc291dGgtZW50aXR5LXBsYWNlbWVudCIgc3R5bGU9Im1hcmdpbi1sZWZ0OiBhdXRvO21hcmdpbi1yaWdodDogYXV0bzt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtMngxIj4NCjxzY3JpcHQ+DQpnb29nbGV0YWcuY21kLnB1c2goZnVuY3Rpb24oKSB7IGdvb2dsZXRhZy5kaXNwbGF5KCdkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLTJ4MScpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICAgICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"828\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-828x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-828x560.jpg 828w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-414x280.jpg 414w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-768x519.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-1536x1038.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-scaled.jpg 1776w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-1320x892.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-750x507.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-Mike-Pat-sister-Siobhan-with-mumHannah-and-dadJack-and-Nan-1140x771.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 828px) 100vw, 828px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mike, Pat, sister Siobhan, with mum (Hannah), and dad (Jack), and Nan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Tall like his father, Mike rose to be 6 foot 5, and it was not just in height that the youngster, who grew up in the Guinness Buildings in Snowsfields, rose but in stature too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An 18-year-old Mike was working as a clerk at a publishing company when he decided to enter the highly competitive world of advertising, eventually getting on the board of the prestigious Saatchi &amp; Saatchi. <\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71156\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448386\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtNDI2OTU5NDk1MSIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1OSBzb3V0aC1lbnRpdHktcGxhY2VtZW50Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtbXB1OSI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHU5Jyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"689\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-the-early-days-of-The-Vic-689x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-415170\" style=\"width:689px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-the-early-days-of-The-Vic-689x560.jpg 689w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-the-early-days-of-The-Vic-345x280.jpg 345w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-the-early-days-of-The-Vic-768x624.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-the-early-days-of-The-Vic-180x146.jpg 180w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-the-early-days-of-The-Vic-750x609.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-the-early-days-of-The-Vic-1140x926.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-the-early-days-of-The-Vic.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 689px) 100vw, 689px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mike in the early days of The Vic<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In an interview with us just over a year ago Mike said he was not happy with being a mere clerk pushing the post trolley around, so put a folio together and became a copywriter. From this, he went on to work at other advertising agencies, and then Saatchi &amp; Saatchi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The clerk or post boy was the humblest of beginnings in the advertising world at that time, but Mike, a self-taught copywriter, knew he could make it big with his words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One time a President of The Creative Circle, which recognises excellence in design and advertising, Mike was part of the Idea Foundation, where he sought to help young talent gain an understanding of this field of work, to get them into a career in the creative industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Greg Martin, who was his partner from 1998-2012 in Saatchi &amp; Saatchi and several top London agencies, the art director to his copy writing, said: &#8220;Everyone loved Big Mike. He was a brilliant writer and the funniest person I&#8217;ve ever known.&#8221; <\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71157\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448387\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMjk5MzUzMzYyOSIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1LTEwIHNvdXRoLWVudGl0eS1wbGFjZW1lbnQiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCcpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICA8L2Rpdj4=<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>An award-winning copywriter and creative director, he picked up prestigious accolades including the D&amp;AD for campaigns such as the recruitment for nurses into the NHS and an award at Cannes for a multiple sclerosis awareness campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-560x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-415169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-560x560.jpg 560w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-280x280.jpg 280w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-146x146.jpg 146w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-75x75.jpg 75w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-750x750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns-1140x1140.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-in-one-of-his-advertising-campaigns.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mike in an advertising campaign<\/em> with a former colleague <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As he was launching his advertising career Mike\u2019s mum, Anne, asked if he could help run The Victoria while the present owners looked for a pub further out of London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite his young age then he was an old hand at the pub game. He had his first taste of pub life when he would \u2018bottle-up\u2019 after school for his aunt and uncle, Alice and Fred Bamber, who had The Woolpack on nearby Bermondsey Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI did that from the mid-&#8217;60s to the early &#8217;80s,\u201d he told us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen they sold The Vic to John and Gilly Routledge,\u201d Mike continued, \u201cI came with the furniture and worked with them as they\u2019d never run a bar in their lives!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"839\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-4915-copy-839x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-4915-copy-839x560.jpg 839w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-4915-copy-419x280.jpg 419w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-4915-copy-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-4915-copy-750x501.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-4915-copy-1140x761.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Biscuit-McKenna-4915-copy.jpg 1186w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 839px) 100vw, 839px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>By 1984, the Routledges also had Gilly\u2019s in Wilds Rents and found having two pubs too much, so put The Vic on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cWe applied for the pub (without telling anyone) and \u2013 to my utter astonishment \u2013 Truman\u2019s agreed. But once we had it, I dragged Pat out of the City to run it!\u201d Mike said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And now, as the legendary pub comes up to its 40th anniversary in the hands of Pat and Trish, you can see that very little has changed in its appearance outside and to a large extent inside too.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"747\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-747x560.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-747x560.jpeg 747w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-373x280.jpeg 373w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-scaled.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-1320x990.jpeg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-750x563.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Mike-Pat-McKenna-Photo_M.Holland-DSC_0004-copy-1140x855.jpeg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mike and Pat McKenna<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It is the fact that this pub has not changed that means it is seen as a hidden gem amidst the large-scale gentrification of Bermondsey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we went down to interview Mike at the Vic he was rightly proud of keeping the pub traditional, telling us: \u201cThat\u2019s why it has been used in so many TV dramas and adverts. It was in the recent series of The Gold, \u2018burnt down\u2019 in the second version of Minder, and seen in London\u2019s Burning, Ashes to Ashes, Waking the Dead, Life on Mars and numerous music videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve served Gordon Jackson, The Chemical Brothers, Liam Gallagher, Craig Charles, Brian Glover, Jim Carter, John Cooper Clarke and Keeley Hawes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe also hosted a Gavin Turk art piece and have been the location for many independent films\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More recently the pub was visited by football great Eric Cantona, with a goat on a lead for an advertising shoot during the Euros. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"FRVm8NfQkmzKPv36L4Jhs5vXjxTD6bQVH2ryicOZeEFURj05tlChDun0S8TPGNG4iYMKpz79bqWMqXtOgxwo\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"HDtLZXLSbf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/eric-cantona-spotted-walking-goat-outside-old-school-bermondsey-boozer\/\">Eric Cantona spotted walking goat outside old school Bermondsey boozer<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Eric Cantona spotted walking goat outside old school Bermondsey boozer&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/eric-cantona-spotted-walking-goat-outside-old-school-bermondsey-boozer\/embed\/#?secret=N04DHsSuEN#?secret=HDtLZXLSbf\" data-secret=\"HDtLZXLSbf\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But it was always the customers new and old that mattered most to the McKenna brothers over any celebrity or film shoots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve been very lucky in that people still use the pub who were here on our opening night,\u201d he told us. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"653\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Victoria.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Victoria.jpg 653w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Victoria-373x280.jpg 373w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Victoria (Fred Roll)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cMany of the locals we\u2019d grown up with moved away in the &#8217;90s and in their place came a more mixed group, a lot of younger people especially, as Bermondsey became gentrified. They discovered us and our old chums, and we\u2019ve all got on swimmingly ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the decades, that friendly atmosphere has been exported on beanos to Ascot, Epsom, Lingfield, Margate, as well as trips to Calais, Tenerife and Cyprus, plus, innumerable \u2018charabancs\u2019 up and down the country following Millwall.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"848\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-was-a-big-Millwall-supporter-848x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-415172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-was-a-big-Millwall-supporter-848x560.jpg 848w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-was-a-big-Millwall-supporter-424x280.jpg 424w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-was-a-big-Millwall-supporter-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-was-a-big-Millwall-supporter-221x146.jpg 221w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-was-a-big-Millwall-supporter-750x495.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-was-a-big-Millwall-supporter-1140x753.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-was-a-big-Millwall-supporter.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 848px) 100vw, 848px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mike was a big Millwall supporter<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Pat says it was Mike who was always behind the numerous fundraising events that have become a regular feature of The Vic. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2022, a reunion was organised where over \u00a31,200 was collected for Breast Cancer Now. It was deemed so successful they continued it each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a family with an army background, Mike&#8217;s became instantly touched by the plight of the Ukrainian people, who have been fighting Russia&#8217;s full scale invasion since February 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"747\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-promoting-the-Ukraine-with-the-Southwark-News-747x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-415171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-promoting-the-Ukraine-with-the-Southwark-News-747x560.jpg 747w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-promoting-the-Ukraine-with-the-Southwark-News-373x280.jpg 373w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-promoting-the-Ukraine-with-the-Southwark-News-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-promoting-the-Ukraine-with-the-Southwark-News-195x146.jpg 195w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-promoting-the-Ukraine-with-the-Southwark-News-750x563.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-promoting-the-Ukraine-with-the-Southwark-News-1140x855.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Mike-promoting-the-Ukraine-with-the-Southwark-News.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mike promoting the Ukraine with the Southwark News<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>His latest fundraising effort came when he met Dariya Silko, 28, in Bermondsey, whose family fled their Donetsk home back in 2014 following Putin\u2019s earlier invasion of that region. A trustee of Women Fight for Ukraine they have, with Mike&#8217;s help, held two Eurovision parties on Bermondsey&#8217;s Beer Mile. The money raised goes to buying equipment including body armour for their husbands, brothers and friends on the front lines.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"8OsDobauEeHJKNBXg6VQ1xc4qdf2R5FLASl30YzyjipnPUkh7WMtvrZwG9ImC\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"9j7lNqyqXW\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/ukrainian-women-will-send-body-armour-to-the-men-fighting-back-home-with-funds-raised-from-a-bermondsey-eurovision-party\/\">Ukrainian women will send body armour to the men fighting back home with funds raised from a Bermondsey Eurovision party<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Ukrainian women will send body armour to the men fighting back home with funds raised from a Bermondsey Eurovision party&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/bermondsey\/ukrainian-women-will-send-body-armour-to-the-men-fighting-back-home-with-funds-raised-from-a-bermondsey-eurovision-party\/embed\/#?secret=UcJPYCvEhL#?secret=9j7lNqyqXW\" data-secret=\"9j7lNqyqXW\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul Regan, who worked with Mike organising events for <a href=\"https:\/\/buy.stripe.com\/6oEaIg21Jd5jbo49AB?tpclid=facebook.PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZqkIuFagOd_tdhF8mZvSvb-ykouOc4uu4PclGrOSzi_o-hQWHXgTW2M8E_aem_KABsGXZjjBtOwR2lmVY-Cg&nbsp;(https:\/\/buy.stripe.com\/6oEaIg21Jd5jbo49AB?tpclid=facebook.PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZqkIuFagOd_tdhF8mZvSvb-ykouOc4uu4PclGrOSzi_o-hQWHXgTW2M8E_aem_KABsGXZjjBtOwR2lmVY-Cg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Women Fight for Ukraine<\/a>, said: &#8220;Mike dedicated countless hours, evenings, and weekends to our little charity, pouring his heart and soul into every project, pushing our boundaries and helping us put together some fantastic fundraising events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;His brilliant mind and infectious enthusiasm were the driving force behind our success. He had a unique ability to turn even the most challenging tasks into exciting opportunities, always offering a unique angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;His loss is felt deeply by all of us, but his legacy will live on through the incredible work he helped us accomplish. We will forever be grateful for his friendship and his unwavering support.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mike was cruelly taken by what is believed to be a heart attack, on Friday 23<sup>rd<\/sup> August, but the family will have to wait for a coroner\u2019s hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He leaves behind not only his brother Pat and nephew Blaine who helps out at the pub, his sister Siobhan, his daughter Eve, son Harry, nephews and nieces, but an extended family in both England and in his mother&#8217;s native Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Laughing, during our trip to see him at the Vic, Mike said: \u201cI\u2019ve hung up my drying cloth and Pat and Trish run the pub now,\u201d but he added that it did not stop him from being found on the other side of the bar drinking with friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The customers, both new and old, wouldn\u2019t have had it any other way. And as people gather to raise a parting glass to Mike, the wake is expected to be so large that they might have to hold it initially at his beloved Millwall before heading back to the Victoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simon Hughes, the former MP for the area, paid tribute &#8211; telling the paper: &#8220;Like many, many others I was very shocked and sad to hear of Mike&#8217;s sudden death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Mike and Pat and their family have been a really valued part of the Bermondsey community at the great and much loved Vic in Pages Walk for 40 years &#8211; and I have been privileged to know them for all of this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The Vic with the McKennas in charge has been one of SE1\u2019s very special pubs of welcome and character, a pleasure and a treasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Also Mick\u2019s internationally recognised work in his day job and career and his volunteer help particularly for Ukraine are other reasons for us all to be so grateful for his character, life and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I know there will many people wanting to express appreciation and thanks in the Vic and elsewhere in the days and weeks ahead.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Mike&#8217;s funeral is being held at St George&#8217;s Cathedral, on Westminster Bridge Road, on Wednesday 25 September at 10am.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.albins.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Albins funeral<\/a> home can be contacted for more details.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A big man with a big heart to match \u2013 that is what anyone would say of Mike McKenna, and his sudden death at just 66 years of age will come as huge shock to generations of Bermondsey people. For 40 years Mike and his brother Pat have been running the Victoria pub on Pages [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18776,"featured_media":415257,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"subtitle":"Mike's funeral is being held on Wednesday 25 September","format":"standard","video":"","gallery":"","source_name":"","source_url":"","via_name":"","via_url":"","override_template":"0","override":[{"template":"1","single_blog_custom":"","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_post_related":"0","show_inline_post_related":"1"}],"override_image_size":"0","image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post":"0","trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post":"0","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","sponsored_post_name":"","sponsored_post_url":"","sponsored_post_logo_enable":"0","sponsored_post_logo":"","sponsored_post_desc":"","disable_ad":"0"},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"","hide":""},"jnews_social_meta":{"fb_title":"","fb_description":"","fb_image":"","twitter_title":"","twitter_description":"","twitter_image":""},"jnews_override_counter":{"override_view_counter":"0","view_counter_number":"0","override_share_counter":"0","share_counter_number":"0","override_like_counter":"0","like_counter_number":"0","override_dislike_counter":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,7375,13539,13602,17333],"tags":[18417,18313],"class_list":["post-415166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bermondsey","category-community","category-featured","category-news","category-obituaries","tag-mike-mckenna","tag-the-victoria"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18776"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=415166"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415166\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/415257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=415166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=415166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=415166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}