MORE than 60,000 biscuits have been donated to hospitals and care homes by a well-known Scottish producer amid the coronavirus crisis.
Border Biscuits said it made the donations to provide support for staff who are playing a crucial role in the fight against the virus.
“The situation we find ourselves in has never been seen before within our lifetime and, here at Border Biscuits, we wanted to play our part in providing support to the brilliant staff within our NHS and care homes who are on the frontline of our country’s efforts,” said managing director John Cunningham.
He added: “We are pleased to hear from feedback that our biscuits are giving NHS and care home staff a boost during their shifts at this time.”
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The family-owned company said a large share of the biscuits have gone to hospitals across Lanarkshire and the Lothians.
These include Hairmyres and Wishaw university hospitals in Lanarkshire, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and St John’s hospital in Livingston.
Lanark-based Border Biscuits is best known for its Dark Chocolate Ginger biscuits, which it bills as “famously fiery”.
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The company invested £1.5 million in adapting its manufacturing facilities ahead of the launch in January of a snack bar version of the product.
Border Biscuits supplies biscuits to retailers across the UK and food services sector businesses such as hotels and hospitality firms.
Asked about recent trading a spokesperson for the company said sales to food services firms had fallen. Many have been closed amid the coronavirus lockdown.
However, the company has maintained employee numbers at around 170.
“During such unprecedented times we have taken extensive steps within the factory to ensure the safety of our staff whilst we maintain production,” said the spokesperson.
The measures include controls to ensure staff can practice social distancing. Employees who can work from home are doing so.
The company donated the biscuits through its community support charitable foundation. Border Biscuits donates 10% of its profits annually to the foundation.
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