Leith gin distillery which spent £35k making free hand sanitiser fundraising to keep project going

A Leith gin distillery which has stopped producing spirits in order to make free hand sanitiser for vulnerable people has started fundraising to keep production going.

Leith Spirits, which has already spent £35,000 on production of the gel, has set up a Crowdfunder to help continue the philanthropic project.

The company has so far produced 12,000 bottles of sanitiser. | Other 3rd Party

“It’s not for sale and it’s not for profit - we’re taking the hit,” said company co-founder Karin Mair.

“All donations will be used solely to produce more hand sanitiser for the community.”

Working around the clock, the distillery has so far brought out 12,000 bottles of sanitiser, produced in accordance with WHO guidelines.

They have been distributed to care homes, healthcare workers, police officers and elderly or vulnerable people around Leith.

Derek and Karin Mair. | Other 3rd Party

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In addition to loss of sales of gin, the company also had to pay £35,000 in duties on the 1,000 litres of alcohol used in the production.

Co-founders Karin and Derek Mair have set up a Crowdfunder page with a target of £1,000 to keep production going.

They are also looking for volunteers to help with distribution.

The project has already been ‘inundated’ with offers of support since the pair put out a call last week for donations of bottles to put the sanitiser in.