By Christopher Morgan
Talk about Community Spirit!
Frontline social carers in Kirklees have received a big boost after a Holmfirth gin distiller put their business on hold to make hand sanitiser.
The Holmfirth-based Divine Gin has used its distillery to make 70 litres of hand sanitiser for frontline Kirklees Council workers as well as staff at their local Co-op.
Founder and Owners Ray and Rachel Woolhead will work with Kirklees Council to give the sanitiser to its frontline social care staff who are still out in communities visiting and helping the most vulnerable people.
Divine Gin was established by husband and wife team Ray and Rachel 2014. The sanitiser comes from their distillery in the hills at New Mill, above Holmfirth.
Ray said they wanted to do their bit to help people working on the frontline in communities in Kirklees.
“We’re a small distillery but very keen to contribute what we can to help those working on the frontline in our towns and villages during this crisis.
“As a distillery, we are in a good position to be able to switch our operations to make hand sanitiser, which as we all know, has become in short supply.”
Ray said they became conscious that despite the lockdown, there were still many in the community who are out there helping the most vulnerable every day.
“We are conscious that there may be sectors of our community who are out there helping our families, our friends, our neighbours, day in day out, who may not be at the top of the list to receive this basic provision.
“That’s why we decided to make and donate this hand sanitiser free of charge to frontline staff from our local Kirklees Council and also to the staff serving people at our local Co-op in Holmfirth.
“We’re not charging for this because we believe that it’s at times like this that we all have to come together and do what we can for each other to get through this situation.”
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “These are clearly very challenging and difficult times for everyone, but particularly the key workers who are still out in communities helping the people who need us.
“I’m so proud of our communities and residents in Kirklees for the amazing togetherness we’ve all shown during this time of crisis.
“I’m so grateful to Ray and Rachel for putting their gin making on hold and doing something so selfless to help our staff stay safe as they continue to care for the most vulnerable people.
“It’s heart-warming gestures like this that are so important when we’re faced with such unprecedented circumstances. Thank you to Ray and Rachel and to everyone else across the borough doing their bit to help others through this.”