A Norwich pub's annual beer festival will have special meaning for the landlady – as it will be fundraising for the special children's renal unit where her son was treated after contracting e-coli.

The Cottage pub in Silver Road, north Norwich, is holding its third annual beer festival from Thursday, April 19 until Monday, April 23.

Landlady Sally Mann's son Harry, who is now seven, was taken to the specialist paediatric renal unit, known as Ward E17, at Nottingham University Hospitals' Queens Medical Centre in 2008.

The boy, who was seriously ill, was transferred to the unit after spending a couple of days in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. He spent three weeks on the ward, was on dialysis for two of those weeks and also had a spell in intensive care after taking a turn for the worse.

Mrs Mann, 34, who has been in charge at The Cottage since December 2009, said her son, who has twin siblings Charlie and Ellie, two, was now fine.

She said: 'He contracted e-coli 0157 and this developed into HUS –haemolytic uraemic syndrome. What basically happens is the virus mutates and starts attacking various organs. It breaks down all of the red blood cells and they clog the kidneys up and stop them from working.

'It really was very touch and go at the time. I will feel eternally grateful to all of the staff on ward E17 for their care and expertise. I wouldn't have my beautiful, healthy boy if it wasn't for them. Nothing can ever repay them for what they have given to me, I hope that we can raise lots of money for them over the festival to just show a little bit of thanks.'

More than 30 beers from local breweries as well as from further afield, plus a selection of traditional ciders and perries, will be available at the George's Fest 2012 festival.

Some of the more unusual beers will include TSA Brewing Co's Taking The Pith, a lemon and lime beer and Dark Star's Espresso Stout. There will also be a few favourites including Mauldon's Blackberry Porter. The music over the festival will be provided by local bands Cousin Jack, The Harvs, who have provided the Friday night entertainment at all three of its festivals, Crumbs For Comfort, The Woodland Creatures, Half Cut Heroes and The He Hews.

The food will include homemade scotch eggs, mushy peas and the pub's secret recipe Black Adder, Beef & Stilton Banger.

The Evening News has been urging people to return to pubs in our Love Your Local campaign.

To see more stories from the campaign, visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.

Is there a special event at your pub? Call David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk