Ale Caesar as ‘Romans’ mark charity fundraising milestone

Proceeds from the four-day event are being equally divided between Sheffield’s Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Rotherham Hospice, the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity in Sheffield and the Rotherham-based Magna educational trust.

More than 11,000 people packed into the Magna science centre for the event, drinking 100,000 half pints of real ale.

Festival organiser Stephen Burns said it was a genuine community event that put the town on the map. “I’d like to thank everyone who helped to make 2013 another successful year for the festival, from local businesses who supported the festival through sponsorship to our legion of volunteers that’s needed to run the event,” he said.

“Helping to raise such a large amount of money for local good causes makes all the time and effort invested into the event very rewarding.”

“Over the years we’ve developed a terrific following, and see regular visitors to the festival travel the length and breadth of the country to support the popular event.”

The festival began in 1992 as a fund-raiser organised by Oakwood Comprehensive School’s parent-teacher association. It has continued to grow, moving to Magna in 2011 to provide a safe space for the increasing numbers of visitors.

Since the festival relocated there, it has raised more than £125,000 for local good causes.

It will return to Magna from March 5 to 8 next year when it will bring a taste of Rome to Rotherham, featuring real ales chosen from areas in the UK known for having a strong connection to the Roman Empire.

Anyone interested in sponsorship should email [email protected].