Generous beer-drinkers proved a ‘glass’ act after helping raise more than £15,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The charity, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions, was the main beneficiary of this year’s Cambridge Beer Festival.
Kind-hearted customers donated the cost of their branded festival glasses which helped raise the phenomenal amount.
Tina Burdett, EACH’s Community Fundraising Manager, said: “We’re thrilled and an enormous thank you goes to everyone who made this possible – from our wonderful staff and volunteers to the generous customers and, of course, our friends at the Beer Festival.
“Taking into account this was the first year the bars had been cashless, I couldn’t have been more delighted with the result. In total, 2,916 glasses were donated, which is amazing.
“When you factor in cash donations and beer tokens, it gave us not only a fantastic fundraising figure but also a brilliant awareness boost in the area.”
On arrival, visitors bought a branded festival glass to put their drink in. They could keep the souvenir and take it home, or return it to the organisers and get their money back.
However, if they handed it in at the EACH stand, the charity received £4 instead.
“It was a real honour to be charity partner and our team thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” added Tina.
“We know what a difference the festival has made to other worthy causes and were grateful for the incredible opportunity, allowing us to raise a fantastic amount and also heighten awareness in Cambridge.”
The six-day Beer Festival, which returned for the first time since the pandemic, ran from 22nd to 27th May and was held on Jesus Green.
It is the longest-running CAMRA beer festival in the UK, having started in 1974, and has been teaming up with a local charity since 2008. Previous beneficiaries include East Anglian Air Ambulance, Cambridge Search and Rescue, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and Arthur Rank Hospice.
EACH relies on public backing and provides its vital, specialist medical and emotional support completely free of charge. It relies on donations for the majority of its income and, this year alone, needs to raise £6.7 million from Fundraising and £7.8 million in Retail income.
It has three hospices, including one in Milton, in addition to nine shops across Cambridgeshire. There are three in Cambridge and others in Cherry Hinton, Ely, Huntingdon, Soham, St Ives and Whittlesey.
Kate Littlechild and husband Tony are pictured volunteering at the Beer Festival.
