CHARITIES in Helensburgh and Lomond are being urged to put in requests for supplies of hand sanitiser being produced, and packaged locally, by a major distiller.

Chivas Brothers is to package and distribute 4,000 litres of hand gel delivered to its Kilmalid bottling plant in Dumbarton.

The sanitiser is destined for local voluntary groups and charities who are still in contact with members of the community during the coronavirus lockdown – particularly those working to support elderly and vulnerable residents hardest hit by the effects of the pandemic.

Backing the scheme, local MSP Jackie Baillie urged charities and third sector organisations in the area to get in touch with the company.

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She said: "I am glad that Chivas has switched some of its production to hand gels and will be bottling this at Kilmalid. This will directly help to contribute to the local and national effort to fight Covid-19.

"Hand gel with a high alcohol percentage is a quick and safe way to kill any germs that you come into contact with. To keep us safe and protected from this virus, it is vital that we ensure we are constantly washing our hands.

"I really encourage any local charities and organisations who are carrying out fantastic work supporting vulnerable and at risk individuals in our community, to get in touch with Chivas and take full advantage of the help that is being offered.

"My thanks go to Chivas. It also goes to all the volunteers who are risking their own health to ensure that others have everything that they need during this time of uncertainty."

Liam Donegan, manufacturing director at Chivas said: “Combatting Covid-19 requires a collective effort from everyone.

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"We're fortunate to have ready access to ethanol and state-of-the-art facilities, so we are determined to do all we can to help increase the production of hand sanitiser, which is so essential in preventing the spread of the virus.

“Community has been at the heart of our company for generations, and we hope that through these efforts and more, we can give a little something back to the areas in which we operate.

"We hope the Dunbartonshire community – and all of our communities around the UK – are staying safe and healthy at this testing time.”

Local charities and organisations looking for support can contact Chivas Brothers directly by email at charityrequests@pernod-ricard.com.

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