A GLASGOW drinks company has moved to producing hand sanitiser to help the coronavirus effort.
The Glasgow Distillery Company has added hand sanitiser to its production schedule following appeals from the British Red Cross and other service providers such as the NHS, local care homes, homeless charities and surgeries.
So far this week, the distillery has produced 1,500 litres of sanitiser and is set to produce at least double this figure in coming weeks, with other drinks firms making similar moves.
The sanitiser will be decanted into 2.5-litre and five-litre containers and “will be made available to those who are most in need, first and foremost”.
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The majority of the first batch has already been allocated and will be dispatched as soon as possible.
Liam Hughes, chief executive and co-founder of the Glasgow Distillery, said: “Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on individuals, families and businesses already, but there are still so many people at risk, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
“Many people are in a state of panic right now. Unfortunately, some of those who are perhaps most in need of hand sanitiser are now without.
“In one day alone, over 20 care homes across Glasgow and the West of Scotland got in touch with me to ask if we were going to be producing hand sanitiser, showing just how serious this problem has become.
"We had already decided to help but the deluge of calls and emails highlighted how desperate people were and all of our staff were keen to be involved too. It has been a real team effort so far."
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He said: “Like many of our distilling companions across Scotland and beyond, we are looking to support our local communities in any way we can at the moment.
"We hope that the production of hand sanitiser is one small way we can help the selfless efforts of frontline workers who are doing their best to not only protect themselves, but protect the lives of those most vulnerable just now.”
Should anyone wish to ask about the availability of sanitiser for their place of work, the distillery is urging all correspondence to be directed to: sanitiser@glasgowdistillery.com.
Please include more information about the services you provide and the quantity required and the distillery will try their best to get back in touch as soon as possible.
Separately, Elgin-based Moray Distillery, which makes Avva Scottish Gin, is also producing hand sanitiser and says its first batch is ready.
The company said: "This is an exceptional time where currently in some areas there is an immediate shortage of an essential PPE in the fight against Covid19.
"Our production is to assist in our locality. If you are outwith our region we can point you to a local producer in your area."
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