Shepherd Neame chief executive, Joanthan Neame (left), pictured with (left to right) Sarah Pullen, Sheps Giving committee member Moray Neame, and Ben Pullen
Faversham-based brewery Shepherd Neame has named the Silas Pullen Fund as its charity of the year for 2018 / 19.
The fund was set up in the memory of Faversham schoolboy Silas Pullen, who lost a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2013, at the age of 11. All money raised by the fund goes to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Shepherd Neame chief executive, Jonathan Neame, said: “We are committed to supporting the community we serve, and are delighted to announce this partnership with such a worthy cause.
“The Silas Pullen Fund has special significance for our company, not only because of the Pullen family’s local links, but because we have lost two members of staff to the illness, and several other employees have lost loved ones.
“By choosing the Silas Pullen Fund as our charity of the year, we hope to not only raise a significant amount of money, but also raise awareness of this devastating disease.”
It is the first time that the brewery has chosen a charity of the year, and the announcement has been made as part of a relaunch of its Sheps Giving charitable arm.
Sheps Giving website page
The 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.
In an effort to raise awareness of the support available, there is now a Sheps Giving logo and a dedicated page on the brewery website, which includes a simple online application form for donations.
The Sheps Giving committee will be working with the Silas Pullen Fund and Brain Tumour Charity to organise fundraising activities at the brewery and across its pub estate throughout the next 12 months.
Silas’ mother, Sarah Pullen, said: “My husband Ben and I are delighted that Shepherd Neame have chosen the Silas Pullen Fund as their charity of the year. It is fantastic to be supported by a national business with such strong local connections.
“We look forward to working with their team to raise awareness and funds, and make a real difference to other families affected by a brain tumour.”
Sarah Lindsell, chief executive of the Brain Tumour Charity, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Shepherd Neame and are grateful that they have chosen to support the Silas Pullen Fund.
“As a charity, we are committed to fighting for all those people whose lives are turned upside down by this devastating disease, and we couldn’t do this without Shepherd Neame behind us. Thank you to everyone involved.”
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