Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, is awarding £5,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support in the West of Scotland, after employees from its Willowyard, Strathclyde and Paisley sites voted in their droves to support the charity.
Each year, Chivas Brothers’ staff select their favourite causes to support as part of the company’s commitment to build strong relations with the local communities where it operates. Macmillan Cancer Support in the West of Scotland is dedicated to working closely with local people and raising money to provide services for those living with cancer and to support their families.
A £5,000 donation ensures that a Macmillan nurse is able to give in-home support for people living with cancer for a whole month.
Lisa McGrogan, of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We are extremely grateful to the staff at Chivas Brothers for choosing us as their charity of the year partner for 2016-2017. Sadly the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is increasing every year and that means Macmillan’s support for people living with cancer is in more demand than ever.
“Without companies like Chivas Brothers fundraising for us we would not be able to be there to support people with cancer and their families when they need us most.”
Jim Beck (pictured), who works within IT at Chivas Brothers, said: “I think if you took a survey on the street and asked them what the Macmillan charity meant to them, the majority would reply that they have a friend or relative who has benefited from the work and care they provide, and I am included in this. This is why it is a special charity to me.”
Jennie Norrish, Head of Communications at Chivas Brothers, said: “It is a great pleasure to announce that our employees have chosen to support Macmillan Cancer Support in the West of Scotland this year. We are dedicated to being a part of the communities where our employees live and work, and therefore support this incredibly worthy cause that is so close to the hearts of our Willowyard, Strathclyde and Paisley workforce. The Charity of the Year initiative is a great opportunity for Chivas Brothers to give back to our local communities.”
The donation to Macmillan Cancer Support forms part of a £20,000 contribution to four charities across the UK, each representing a region in which Chivas Brothers operates and includes; Macmillan Cancer Support in the West of Scotland, Paisley, Glasgow and Ayrshire; The Jake McCarthy Foundation, London and Plymouth region; Alzheimer Scotland, Northern Scotland region; and the Beatson Cancer Charity, Dunbartonshire.
The annual charity vote is just one of a number of initiatives that Chivas Brothers’ employees can take part in throughout the year, including a ‘doubling-up scheme’ where the company matches funds raised for good causes by workers in their spare time.