Meta Pixel

“It’s phenomenal, and we feel very proud to have raised so much. It’s a fabulous charity and couldn’t be more local” – Milton Brewery’s popular ‘beer tree’ has raised £53,000 for EACH after starting in 2001

A generous brewery has teamed up with thirsty rowers to help raise a staggering £50,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Milton Brewery has been running its popular ‘beer tree’ fundraiser since 2001 and, over the years, raised a phenomenal £70,000.

Various worthy causes have benefitted, but in the region of £53,000 has been donated to EACH, which has one of its three bases in Milton.

The annual fundraiser takes place every July and ties in with Cambridge’s popular ‘bumps’ rowing race on the River Cam.

A cheque presentation recently took place at Milton when brewery owner Richard Naisby met up with EACH Senior Corporate Fundraiser Hannah Forbester.

“It started more than two decades ago,” said Richard.

“My brewery had a barrel of leftover beer from a rained-off cricket match, and I thought it would be nice to leave it in a tree on the banks of the river, for rowers to quench their thirst.

“I had no idea it would prove so popular, but, that night, they drank the ‘beer tree’ completely dry!

“I realised we were onto a good thing, did the same thing the following year and have continued to do so every year apart from 2020 and 2021 (because of Covid).

“We suggest people, rowers or anyone else willing to dip into their pockets, make a donation and, to their credit, they give considerable amounts.”

The ‘beer tree’ has branched out and grown beyond all recognition, since 2001.

What started with one barrel soon evolved into thousands of pints – all lapped up and sunk by grateful rowers.

Milton Brewery donates the beer, with support from various corporate sponsors to help cover costs.

“It’s phenomenal, and we feel very proud to have raised so much, over the years,” added Richard, who started his business in June 1999.

“The vast majority of that money has been donated to EACH at Milton.

“It’s a fabulous charity and couldn’t be more local.

“Our business started in the village and, even now, our premises are only down the road in Waterbeach.”

Hannah said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Richard and Milton Brewery.

“It’s a very special partnership, and they kindly choose to support us every year, unless there’s a specific cause their staff would like to support.

“We’re so appreciate, and it’s such a different, imaginative way to support our charity.”

‘Bumps’ racing has been taking place on the River Cam since the 1820s.

It allows large numbers of boats to compete against one another, because the river is too narrow and winding to host a conventional regatta.

The aim of the race is to catch and ‘bump’ the crew in front. Crews that bump one another must pull over to allow crews behind to continue, and the finishing order at the end of each day determines the starting order the following day.

Find our notes to editors here.

Keep in touch:

For further information about this release please contact:

Matt Plummer | Media and PR Manager | 07738 328058 | Matt.Plummer@each.org.uk

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top