CARERS and staff at St Rocco’s Hospice were given a treat by one of Warrington’s most famous names.

Birchwood-based G&J Distillers, the world’s oldest continuous gin distillery, surprised the Bewsey-based hospice with a very special delivery.

G&J Distillers, which is owned by parent company Quintessential Brands Group, wanted to say thanks to the staff at St Rocco’s for their care and hardwork throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

So on Thursday they went along to deliver gift packs for every member of staff. Each pack contained some of the distillery’s award-winning gins, including its flagship brand Greenall’s, along with a glass, giving carers and support staff a well-deserved treat to enjoy at home.

Simon Cartledge, plant lead at G&J Distillers, said: “St Rocco’s holds a special place in the hearts of our community, myself and my colleagues here at G&J Distillers included, having played a vital role in caring for many of our loved ones, even during these testing times.

“The carers and staff at the hospice work incredibly hard day in and day out, putting the needs of others before their own, so we wanted to say a big thank you to them by giving them a little treat to enjoy at home.

“We hope they’ll enjoy their gin when they do get some well-deserved down time.”

Nicola Henshaw, senior relationships fundraiser at St Rocco’s, said, “G&J have been supporters of St. Rocco’s Hospice for many years now and we’re thrilled that they have been able to make such a wonderful donation to us at this time so soon after raising funds for us through challenges and events last year.

“We’re sure these sets will go down an absolute treat for our hardworking staff.”

Located in Birchwood, G&J Distillers is renowned in the drinks industry for its long history and its white spirits expertise, for which it has won International Spirit Challenge Gin Producer of the Year four times in the past five years. The company employs 170 people at the distillery and in its neighbouring offices.