The St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust, which supports local charities and individuals in need across the South West, is inviting good causes in the region to apply for a grant following its best-ever fundraising year.

Thanks to the generosity of individuals, communities and St Austell Brewery’s team members across the business, more than £145,000 was raised in 2024. Founded by St Austell Brewery in 2003, the Trust accepts applications year-round. Since its launch, more than £1.2 million has been awarded.

From skydives to sponsored walks, pub quizzes to St Austell Brewery’s annual Celtic Beer Festival - which sees thousands descend on the brewery for a day of great beer and live music -fundraising efforts have resulted in grants, both large and small, being awarded throughout the year. The brewery also donates 25p to the Trust from every large portion of fish & chips sold across its 46 managed pubs in the South West.

The primary purpose of the Trust is to support local charitable campaigns and to assist individuals who don’t have access to charity support through traditional means. Every penny raised by the Trust goes back into local communities where it is needed most. In 2024, more than £95,000 was donated to important causes in the region.

The Trust has supported a range of causes in the recent months. Mentoring Plus received a donation to help keep their volunteer mentoring programme running, which provides young people facing tough times with a safe space and activities to help them thrive, regardless of their financial situation.

And grants for individuals included funding for a new stroller to assist a child with developmental challenges and a person with cerebral palsy was given funding for a glove to improve hand function and support recovery, making a huge difference to their ability to perform everyday activities.

Over the years, larger charities, including our regional air ambulances of Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, the RNLI, and Young Lives vs Cancer have also received donations.

Piers Thompson, Chair of the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust, said:

“Thanks to the dedication of our team members, individuals, and partners, we are encouraging communities and charities to apply for a grant to ensure the Trust continues to enhance and improve lives across the South West."

“We’re proud to donate to causes large and small and that’s what makes the Trust so unique. Whether you are an individual in need of home equipment to make life easier, or a small regional CIC running a life-enhancing project, the funding is there to help people and communities who need it the most.”

Piers added: “We’re very grateful to those who have contributed to the success of last year’s fundraising efforts. There are lots of exciting plans in place to continue the fundraising momentum during 2025.”

Last year, St Austell Brewery hosted its annual Celtic Beer Festival—the largest charitable beer festival of its kind —with all profits donated to the Trust. The event in November saw more than 1,300 revellers descend on the brewery for a day of great beer and live music, raising an impressive £12,000. Another successful event organised by St Austell Brewery during 2024 was a Charitable Gala evening, which featured a silent auction and raised an additional £47,000.

To apply for a grant from the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust, or read more about the causes or charities it has already supported, visit here.

In parallel to actively seeking applications for grants, the Trust is also recruiting for two new independent trustees to join its board and to help support the work it does for communities across the region.