Market Harborough-based Union Distillers donated over £1,000 to Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust this week off the back of a national effort to support World Bee Day. 

In June, a campaign for the distiller’s honey infused KEEPR’s Gin, which is available in supermarkets, bars and restaurants around the country, directed drinkers to educational information about bee preservation and donated 10 per cent of all sales to the cause for a month.

The proceeds from the campaign were donated by Union Distillers to LRWT in a cheque presentation at Rutland Water Nature Reserve. 

Stuart Fritz, a Union Distillers employee, commented: “We’re proud of our local community and so very privileged to have access to such beautiful natural habitats and a wealth of wildlife right here on our doorstep.

We’re grateful to everyone who well and truly got behind the cause and picked up a bottle of KEEPR’s. Championing British beekeeping is at the heart of the KEEPR’s brand – our spirits include 100 percent pure British honey sourced from hives across the UK. All the honey is fully traceable and regularly tested to ensure provenance. As a company, Union Distillers firmly believe brands can be a force for good. We hope this small token of our appreciation helps Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust continue the great work they do.”

Harriet Girling, Senior Engagement Officer, Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, said: “We are very grateful to everyone at Union Distillers for this incredibly kind donation, the money will make a huge difference to us and our work to protect wildlife and wild places across Leicestershire and Rutland.

This fantastic campaign has not only raised a considerable amount of money for us, it has also helped raise awareness of our work and the importance of protecting precious species like bees, which face decline. Working with local businesses is so important to us, as it allows us to achieve more for wildlife and bring more people closer to nature.”

The spirits firm - which employs over 70 people from the local area - produces a portfolio of quintessentially British spirits brands, including KEEPR’s range of gin, rum and bourbon, Dodd’s Gin, rye and single malt whiskeys and Two Birds spirits. The company also produces and supplies white label spirits for several major UK supermarkets.

Demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable causes and practices, Union Distillers restaged its iconic KEEPR’s honey-infused artisan spirits range recently to express the brand’s innate connection to British bee conservation, beekeeping, and provenance. The new-look range now features a contemporary bee-themed bottle design which incorporates elements of the hexagonal honeycomb pattern, a unique bee-themed tapered shape reflecting the tail of a honeybee, and intricate bee imagery on the bottle stopper. Made from 50 per cent recycled glass, the bottle and gin inside give shoppers a taste of luxury while making an environmentally friendly choice.

Pictured left to right: Stuart Fritz, Director at Union Distillers, Harriet Girling, Senior Engagement Officer, Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust.  

Find out more about the Union Distillers and it range of quintessentially British premium spirits by visiting www.keeprs.co.uk.