Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale beer was launched in 1990 to raise money for RAF charities on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Since then, charity activities associated with Spitfire ale have raised some £100,000, and the brand's tongue-in-cheek World War II styled advertising campaign has a cult following.

The Bottle of Britain, a commemorative book featuring some of the best of the 150 or so print, poster and TV advertisements, was produced to raise money for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund which provides help and support for RAF veterans.

The book has raised thousands of pounds for the RAFBF.

In September 2008, to help commemorate Battle of Britain week, Shepherd Neame donated 10p to the RAFBF for every pint of Spitfire Ale sold in participating Punch Taverns and produced a one-off series of beer mats. The beer mats featured people whom the RAFBF can help with the aid of Shepherd Neame's donations.

Spitfire was also sold through supermarkets and off-licences in a limited edition eight pack around Battle of Britain week.

For more information on the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund visit www.rafbf.org.

Help for Heroes is a national charity which aids members of the armed forces who return wounded from tours of duty. Supporters include former and serving members of the armed forces and well-known public figures and celebrities, including Princes William and Harry, TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson and musician James Blunt.

Christmas 2007 saw Shepherd Neame create a limited edition Help for Heroes Spitfire Ale, which was available in 250ml bottles in selected branches of Majestic Wine Warehouses, Booths, Nisa and Makro. Sales of the ale raised £8,000 for the charity.

In April 2008, Spitfire teamed up with Enterprise Inns pubs to raise money for Help for Heroes. For each pint of Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale sold in an Enterprise Inns pub, 10p went to Help for Heroes and the total amount raised was £14,000.

As a result of these activities, Shepherd Neame has handed over a cheque for £22,000 to help injured service men and women at the Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court, Epsom, Surrey.

Help for Heroes hopes to raise enough money to build a new gym and swimming pool at Headley Court, where service personnel injured on tours of duty can recover from wounds and begin to rebuild their lives. For more information about Help for Heroes visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk.