A Girvan distiller is producing millions of litres of ethanol as the world cries out for hand sanitiser.
William Grant & Sons have shifted production to help in the global meltdown.
And one of their key customers is owned by Troon man Stephen Allam, current President of Marr Rugby Club.
Stephen, 57, runs Beith-based T R Bonnyman which has seen demand for the hand gels soar from 1000 litres a week to 50,000 litres a DAY.
He quickly signed a deal with Grants, which has been trucking in tanker fulls of spirit.
His team have been working flat out since after Customs and Excise “fast-tracked” the emergency arrangement.
Stephen’s firm, the largest of its type in Scotland, donated £100,000 worth of product to North Ayrshire Council.
He said: “I am Ayrshire born and bred and wanted to give something back.
“Everyone has to do their bit – we have already donated to 30 old folks homes and sheltered housing and hospices.
“We have not been profiteering from this – we have been selling the hand gel at £7.50 per half litre.
”We all have a part to play and it’s important we all think of the bigger picture as we move forward during these difficult times.”
Grain neutral spirit is used by distillers in the production of vodka and gin. If it is to be used for other purposes like hand sanitiser, HMRC must have evidence that it has been made unfit for drinking.
Grants will produce the spirit for hand use at Girvan for the next two months.
They insist they will not take a penny profit, supplying the spirit at standard commercial rate and all excess will be “ring-fenced to reinvest in future action to help in the fight against the virus.”
