Friends and family came together to raise money for Weston Park Cancer Charity in remembrance of James Eardley, founder of The Brew Foundation and owner of two Sheffield micro pubs.
A micro pub chain has raised thousands for Weston Park Cancer Charity in memory of their late owner and creator of The Brew Foundation, James Eardley, who passed away in July 2021.
Ecclesall and Fulwood Ale Clubs were filled with family and friends as they drank charity beers and bought raffle tickets, raising a grand total of £4850 for Weston Park. ‘Shining Light’, the last beer James brewed, was sold at the fundraisers.
The beer combined the Sheffield brewer’s first creation, ‘First Light’, and his best seller, ‘C Bomb’, creating a flavoursome Citrus and Liberty hop American Pale Ale.
Raffle ticket prizes
Raffle tickets were sold at £5 a strip. Prizes were donated from Sheffield organisations and included VIP tickets to Tramlines 2022, hotel stays, food hampers and Arctic Monkey memorabilia. Donations for Weston Park Cancer Charity were also collected at James’ funeral. This money will be added to the fundraiser total.
Weston Park Cancer Charity on Northumberland Road, Broomhall, provides lifelong support to cancer patients and their families from the point of diagnosis. Charlotte Swinhoe, Fundraising Executive at Weston Park, said: “The 4th birthday fundraiser at The Ale Club honoured James’ legacy in the most perfect way.”
“It brought together Ale Club colleagues past and present, along with friends and family, to remember James and continue his passionate, tireless support of Weston Park.”
This is the fourth year the micro pubs have held charity fundraisers, but it was the first year without James.
Staff past and present at the Ecclesall Ale Club fundraiser
Rob Eardley, James’ father, paid tribute to his son: “James was a very caring, positive person. He was never going to let his diagnosis get him down. He would never give up. To demonstrate that, he opened up his first bar on Ecclesall Road and when he had cancer, opened up the second micro pub in Fulwood. Just before his cancer got really serious he was looking at opening a third bar.”
“It wouldn’t have fazed him because he was just that kind of bloke.”
During a drunken conversation back in 2012, Mr Eardley and his son had decided to open a chain of micro pubs in Sheffield. This had then extended to the birth of the Brew Foundation – a father-son brewery.
“James’ talent was coming up with the new beers and their names. We’ve lost that. He loved developing the beers with the quirky names, he loved putting quirky bits in the pubs – it just showed off his personality,” said Rob.
Shining Light, the last beer James brewed. All proceeds on the night went to Weston Park Cancer Charity.
James’ wife Sam and Ale Club Manager Georgia Clarke will continue James’ legacy and run the two micro pubs. Rob will support the business from his Cheshire home.
Georgia shared her memories of James on the night: “He was an amazing guy. Everybody loved him and everyone has been impacted by his loss.”
The Brew Foundation will be taken over by a new brewer but it will continue to produce James’ core range of beers.
Declan Quince, a former staff member said James’ legacy will live on forever through the brewery and micro pubs: “James was a cool, down to earth guy. Even when he wasn’t very well, he always put on a brave face. He was super inspiring and had the best perspective on life. I learned from James to not let anything get in your way.”
