FRIENDS of a popular pub landlord found stabbed to death hope to keep his memory alive by carrying on his initiative to feed rough sleepers.

Scott Gilhooly, who owned the Swiss Bell pub in Mountbatten Road, Braintree, had been cooking warm meals for up to 80 people being looked after by homeless charity Sanctus.

Scott, who was 44, had initially been asked by friend Julia Best if he could provide any pub snacks for the Chelmsford-based charity during the coronavirus lockdown.

But the landlord wanted to go a step further and launched a new initiative which saw him provide hot meals for rough sleepers.

Julia said: “This was entirely Scott’s idea and was just typical of what he was like.

“He took it upon himself to launch this.

“The idea was he would come up with a meal and then ask for ingredients to be donated.

“He would then cook the dish and give it to me to take down to Chelmsford.

“We had decided to make a sausage casserole dish just before he died. We were arranging it all the day before it happened. It was the last time I spoke with him.”

Scott was found dead at the Swiss Bell on the morning of Sunday, May 17.

Lawrence Bourke, 23, of Lister Road, Braintree, has since been charged with murder following the incident and is set to stand trial later this year.

Having heard of Scott’s work, friends and members of the community have now set up a Facebook page in the hope they can carry on his good work.

An appeal was put out for ingredients for a casserole dish at the weekend which was completed within just 30 minutes.

Julia hopes to cook the meal today and take it down to Sanctus.

She admits she has been amazed at the response from the public and the number of people coming forward offering their help.

Julia added: “If anything, it just shows the massive impact that Scott had on the community.

“I don’t think he realised how highly thought of he was and the effect he had on everyone.

“The community is trying to set a defibrillator up in his name, so it shows how people want to keep his memory alive.

“The number of people looking to help has been fantastic.

“There have actually been so many offers that I have had to turn them down.

“Because of social distancing rules, we can’t have too many people in the kitchen cooking.

“Hopefully when restrictions are lifted, all those who want to help will be able to get involved.”

Anyone wanting to find out more information about the initiative should search for ‘Raise a Glass for Scott’ on Facebook.