SHEPS GIVING CHARITY OF THE YEAR (2024/25)
We are committed to supporting the community we serve, and established Sheps Giving to provide a focus for our efforts. Our chosen Charity of the Year is Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS).
KSS is the local air ambulance charity for Kent, Surrey and Sussex. KSS’s helicopters are flying emergency rooms for millions of people who live in and travel across Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex 24/7, 365 days a year. When there’s a life-or-death call, they bring specialised doctors, paramedics and treatment to the scene, fast.
When choosing our new Charity of the Year partner for 2024/25, we wanted to work with an organisation that really makes a difference to the communities we serve, and KSS does just that.
Every pound that Shepherd Neame donates to this fantastic charity will literally help their team to save more lives.
Menus for Minis
Our kids’ menu is helping to support our Charity of the Year Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS)
The Menu for Minis, available across our managed pubs and hotels, offers a delicious selection of dishes perfect for younger diners. And for every two course Meal Deal sold, Shepherd Neame will donate 50p to KSS.
A range of classic kids’ favourites are on offer, with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. You can view the full Menu for Minis, along with allergen information, at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/menu-minis.
Please note that our partnership with KSS runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, and this promotion is part of our pledge to raise £30,000 for the charity during that period. We have not set a minimum or maximum donation total for this promotion.
COMMUNITY DONATIONS
Each year we give away beer and vouchers for our pub and hotel estate to local groups and individuals, to support their fundraising activities.
While we try to support as many events and organisations as possible, priority is given to causes or charities that are based in Kent or local to the communities served by our pubs.
PENNIES
We continue to partner with Pennies, the digital charity box, in a bid to boost funds for our Charity of the Year Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS).
Customers drinking and dining at selected Shepherd Neame pubs and hotels are invited to make a 25 pence donation when they spend over £25 and pay on a card via Chip & Pin or digital wallet. Every penny given goes to charity: 90% to KSS and 10% to Pennies.
Find out more at pennies.org.uk
SPORTS SPONSORSHIP
Pubs and sports clubs share an affinity as places for communities to come together, and we are proud to contribute significant sums annually to local sports sponsorship, from grassroots to county level.
We have been a long-time sponsor of Kent Cricket, with the Club’s Canterbury headquarters, The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, named after our beer brand. We are the principal sponsor of Maidstone United FC, and have agreed pouring rights partnerships with National League team Bromley FC, EFC Championship team Millwall FC and EFL League One club Leyton Orient,
FUNDRAISING AROUND THE BUSINESS
We are proud that our pubs and our brewery hold an important place at the heart of their communities.
In addition to the support offered to our Charity of the Year, licensees and team members across the business also raise large sums each year for a diverse range of good causes and local initiatives, and have received external recognition for their efforts.
This year, our Team Extreme (pictured), including our Chief Executive Jonathan Neame, undertook the Lake District Ultra Challenge, raising more than £7,500 for FareShare.
PROMOTING OUR KENT HEARTLAND
We actively promote our county through our membership of tourism and trade organisations including Visit Kent and Produced in Kent.
We also take great pride in supporting our communities through sponsorship of a diverse range of local events including the Faversham Hop Festival, Faversham Literary Festival, Taste of Kent Awards, The Spirit of Tenterden Festival, Broadstairs Folk Week, the annual Diesel Gala at Kent and East Sussex Railway, and a number of airshows across the county including at Headcorn.