Faversham-based brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has raised £30,000 for its Charity of the Year, Kent Wildlife Trust.
Based in Sandling, Maidstone, Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is the county’s leading conservation charity. KWT manages more than 90 nature reserves across Kent, ensuring the landscape is protected and enhanced for wildlife. KWT has been undertaking several ground-breaking reintroduction projects in Kent with species such as bison, and is also paving the way for carbon lock-up and native habitat restoration.
Shepherd Neame chose KWT as its Charity of the Year at the start of 2022, and fundraising activities by team members at the brewery and across its pub estate have included taking part in the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge in Dorset last May, organising a Royal Brewery Bake Off competition as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, sponsored pub walks, photography competitions and a series of summer beach cleans at four of its coastal sites.
It is Shepherd Neame’s third Charity of the Year partnership following the relaunch of its Sheps Giving charitable arm in 2018. The company’s Sheps Giving committee co-ordinates the donation of thousands of pounds worth of beer each year, along with vouchers for its pub and hotel estate, to local groups and individuals in support of their fundraising activities.
Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame marked the end of the partnership by presenting a cheque to KWT’s Chief Executive Evan Bowen-Jones last Friday (June 23). They met at Oare Marshes Nature Reserve – just a couple of miles from the Faversham Brewery – as the funds raised by Shepherd Neame during the past year are being put towards a new green energy project at the site.
Oare Marshes is a flagship site for Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT), designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Nature Reserve (LNR), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. The site supports nationally important numbers of breeding and over-wintering wading birds along the coast of the Swale Estuary and wildfowl, egrets, bittern, and raptors. KWT is planning on using Shepherd Neame’s contribution to fund a new solar and wind power to electrify the reserve (namely the building known as The Watch Tower), enabling their team to increase the number of education activities on the site and create more opportunities for engagement and income.
Jonathan Neame said: “We have really enjoyed partnering with Kent Wildlife Trust during the past year to help raise awareness of their fantastic work to protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent. We are incredibly proud to present them with this donation, which is going towards a fantastic project just a stone’s throw from our brewery. I would like to thank the many customers and team members who have supported our fundraising efforts during the past year.”
Kent Wildlife Trust’s Director of Fundraising, Marcoms, and Advocacy, Tamarin Ward said: “We are incredibly grateful to Shepherd Neame and their amazing efforts which will help us deliver a Wilder Kent.
“Over the last year, Shepherd Neame has raised much-needed funds, and staff and patrons have given up their time to clean beaches, removing plastics and rubbish from our shoreline. Their efforts have been inspiring and directly contributed to improving the Kentish landscape. Through collaborations like this, we strengthen and grow, taking meaningful action for nature together.”
For more information about the Kent Wildlife Trust visit www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk
Find out more about Sheps Giving at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/sheps-giving
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About Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is the county’s leading conservation charity, working towards creating a better, more sustainable and wilder future. KWT has over 32,000 members and over 1,000 registered volunteers. It manages and protects over 9,000 acres of land across more than 80 different sites and nature reserves, alongside three visitor centres.
About Shepherd Neame
Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years. Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire, which carries the Royal Warrant, its diverse portfolio includes Five Grain Lager, Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale and Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager, and the Whitstable Bay Collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including Samuel Adams Boston Lager and premium Thai lager Singha. The independent family business boasts an award-winning visitor centre and more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.
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For further information please contact Corporate Communications Manager Kathryn Tye on 01795 542259 or email ktye@shepherdneame.co.uk or visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk
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