THE launch event for a new gin at the Chorley distillery has helped to raise £24,000 to raise awareness for cervical screening and battle cancer.

Brindle Distillery produce the award-winning Cuckoo Gin, and they have created a new product to their range, Cuckoo Solace Gin.

Bosses held a charity fundraiser in order to raise money for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.

The charity is very close to the team at Cuckoo’s hearts as Liz Long, the wife of Master Distiller and director, Mark Long and the daughter of fellow directors, Gerard and Cath Singleton, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of the cancer in January this year at the age of 29.

It was discovered from the results of a routine cervical screening test, which are available to help prevent cancer and not discover it.

Liz underwent major life-changing surgeries to treat the cancer and is now fortunately, after a long recovery process, living cancer free.

Mark Long said: “We are delighted about the amount of money raised and it was overwhelming the support we have received.

“There was some fantastic generosity for the family and we had an idea that it we would raise a chunk of money given the way we have opened the doors in the community to the distillery but to pull off that amount is phenomenal.”

Liz is extremely passionate about raising awareness of the importance of women attending their cervical screening tests as, through her experience with cervical cancer, she has discovered some frightening statistics regarding the subject.

The combination of fundraiser tickets, a live auction, raffle tickets, proceeds from the first batch of Solace Gin, and donations totted up to an impressive £24k total.

Mark added: “It was a cracking night we did the auction and we had lots of local businessmen putting their hands in their pockets and donating and there was a dance afterwards.

“It was a terrible start to the year when Liz was diagnosed but hopefully this event helps us draw a line under it.

“We are still very cautious as she has three or four checks a year to make sure that it has gone away.”

A percentage of proceeds from this the Solace gin bottle will be donated to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust who are helping others in similar situations. So let’s continue to raise both awareness and a glass, to family, friends and new beginnings.