In the UK, the drinks giant which owns Chivas Brothers, has pledged their support to a number of charities and partners, including those who will be carrying out vital work to assist those in hospitality and some of the most adversely-affected communities in the coming months.
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| Pernod Ricard announces support measures for the UK during COVID-19 pandemic |
Pernod Ricard have pledged their support to the UK on-trade’s workforce by donating £250,000 to industry charity The Drinks Trust. The donation coincides with the launch of a new campaign by The Drinks Trust, formerly The Benevolent, to support those in need financially and by increasing the capacity of its helpline and the volume of complementary therapy services it delivers.
Chivas Brothers has bolstered parent company Pernod Ricard’s efforts to increase production of hand sanitiser worldwide by pledging an initial donation of 100,000L of ethanol. The donation will help UK manufacturers create much-needed hydroalcoholic gel for the UK community as demand continues to grow, and builds on donations and manufacturing efforts already in place across the world by Pernod Ricard affiliates including Irish Distillers, Ricard SAS, The Absolut Company and Pernod Ricard USA.
Pernod Ricard UK, has also partnered with The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) to offer Level 1 Spirits courses online for free. 2,000 hospitality professionals over the age of 18 have already signed up to the programme, which will be run online by the WSET and lasts approximately four weeks. The package also includes a home-delivered selection spirits from Pernod Ricard UK to be used as tasters throughout the course.
Chivas Brothers has also accelerated its support of its 2020 Charity of the Year, MND Scotland, by meeting its total £50,000 fundraising target nine months ahead of schedule, and committing to continue fundraising efforts when possible, and extend them throughout 2021.
Commenting on the news, Jean-Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, said: “With planned business and employee fundraising efforts now on hold due to COVID-19, Chivas Brothers is making a lump-sum donation of £26,000 to bolster the £24,000 raised to date, and ensure the charity - which supports those in Scotland living with motor neurone disease - has access to funding at a time when they need it most.”
Pernod Ricard UK and Chivas Brothers, will be announcing further measures to support communities at home and abroad in the coming weeks.
Posted by Steve Rush