Balblair and Pulteney distillery communities invited to stake claim to share of £8000 fund
CHARITIES and not-for-profit organisations within a 35-mile radius of two north Highland distilleries are being invited to stake a claim to a share of an £8000 fund.
International Beverage has launched its community charity initiative for a third year with the funding on offer for Scotland’s Highland region.
Its Spirit of Our Community Awards were created to celebrate and reward the people and organisations working hard to make a difference to others in their local area.
It’s open to groups within a 35-mile radius of two of the business’s more northerly distilleries, Balblair near Tain and Pulteney in Wick.
There will be a £5000 award for one standout project and five runners up from the award’s Highland and Speyside regions will each receive £600.
Ormlie Community Association, an organisation that provides social services and care to individuals and their families within the Ormlie area of Thurso, was unveiled as the Highland region recipient of the last Spirit of Our Community Awards.
International Beverage donated £5000 to the Association which addresses community needs, promotes health and behaviour change and improves and reduces social isolation and loneliness.
The money was used to continue improving the essential services they offer, which support those in need with hot meals, refreshments, educational and physical stimulation.
Becky Burnand, project development manager from Ormlie Community Association, said: “We are so grateful for the donation awarded to us. We were able to purchase new resources for our adult activities which has helped us to offer more services in the area.
“As a result, we have built stronger relationships and had a really positive impact to our community.”
Interested groups and charities now have until midnight on Friday, November 28 to submit entries. Every submission will be reviewed by a panel of judges, made up of members of International Beverage alongside representatives from long-standing local charity partners.
As awards organiser, International Beverage business support manager Eileen Rae says that it’s all about ideas that will have a positive impact on local lives.
She said: “Our business has a long-standing commitment to supporting local communities and our awards scheme is testament to this. We are delighted that it is now in its third year and are extremely proud of its success when it comes to making a tangible difference to people’s lives.
“There are so many fantastic charities and groups that carry out invaluable work in our distilleries’ communities and we really want to hear from them. Any organisation (regardless of their size) that needs a helping hand or has an initiative that needs funding is encouraged to apply.”
To learn more about the awards and to download an entry form, please visit: https://www.interbevgroup.com/charitable-giving/spirit-of-our-community-awards