Moray and Aberdeenshire charities eligible to receive part of distillery company's £13000 prize fund

CHARITIES in Aberdeenshire and Moray have the chance to receive a portion of a £13000 boost from a distillery company's charitable initiatives fund.

International Beverage, one of Scotland's leading spirits producers, has pledged to support local communities with the launch of their Spirit of Our Community Awards.

The company's annual charity initiative has been expanded this year, to encompass the Highland and Speyside regions surrounding the company's five Scottish distilleries.

Initially launched in 2022, the Spirit of Our Community Awards were created to recognize and reward individuals and organisations actively working to improve their local communities. Last year, the awards were exclusively focused on the Airdrie and Coatbridge region, where the company's head office is situated. Following a successful debut, the initiative has been expanded to include any local charity or non-profit organisation which operates within a 25 miles radius of Aberdeenshire’s Knockdhu Distillery and Speyside-based distilleries Balmenach and Speyburn.

Six charities in the area can benefit, with a £5,000 award for the top entry and five runners-up, with each receiving £600.

Interested groups and charities have 6 weeks to submit their entries before Thursday 30th November. Every submission will be reviewed by a panel of judges, made up of members of the distillery teams alongside representatives from long standing local charity partners.

As awards organiser, International Beverage Business Support Manager Eileen Rae said the panel are looking for ideas that will have a positive impact on local lives. She commented: ‘We are very proud and excited to be launching year two of the Spirit of Our Community Awards and to be extending them into the communities surrounding our distilleries.

"There are so many wonderful charities and groups out there doing the most inspiring work in the distilleries’ communities, dedicating themselves to helping others at a time when people need this kind of support more than ever. Any organisation that has an exciting project that needs funding or just needs a bit of a helping hand to continue the great work they are already doing: please get your entries in!’

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

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.