West Sussex brewery launches new charity beer

£1 from every can of Spinning Sun sold will go to the Early Birth Association.

Author: Lettie BuxtonPublished 20th Nov 2020

A West Sussex brewery has launched a new beer to raise money for charity.

Craft beer specialist Bestens Brewery, based in Lower Beeding, is now selling the Spinning Sun in support of the Early Birth Association.

Hundreds of cans of the golden ale are being brewed, with £1 from every can sold being donated.

The Early Birth Association supports the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Bestens' founder, Paul Swaffield, was inspired to start the fundraiser by his childhood friend Andi Roberts and Andi's wife Jemma who lost their daughter Tilly in 2015.

Tilly's story:

Tilly Roberts was born on 28 January, 2014, 24 weeks and five days old, weighing just 360 grams.

She spent her first five months of life in the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton.

After leaving the unit, Tilly was able to spend six months at home with her family, but sadly passed away on 1 November, 2015.

Tilly's parents, Andi and Jemma, would sit together and watch the sun circling in the sky as Tilly received her treatment in NHS hospitals in Sussex, and it is this experience that is behind the name "Spinning Sun".

Paul invited Andi to help him brew the golden ale at Bestens' base, and they are already planning to do the same again next year to raise more money for the cause.

A special sunflower design has been created for Spinning Sun by local artist Angelica Felis from "Wood I Do" and the original painting will be auctioned to raise more money for the Early Birth Association.

Paul said:

"What better way to make a donation to charity, than by enjoying a nice cold beer.

"We are a community brewery and it's really important to us that we contribute what we can to support local causes.

"We're extremely proud to be raising money for such a wonderful organisation, but to do so with the help and blessing of one of my oldest and dearest friends makes it all the more special."

Meanwhile Andi said they are "delighted" Bestens decided to create this "special golden ale to raise money for a charity that is so dear to our hearts":

"It was a real joy to join Paul on brewing day and have a hand in the production of Spinning Sun."

The beers can be bought on the Bestens Brewery website.

Paul will personally deliver the cans to at no extra cost to anybody who lives within the Sussex postcodes listed on Bestens Brewery website and orders six cans or more of Spinning Sun.

Every year Bestens Brewery gives a proportion of its profits to charity.