Thirsty oil and gas workers will have the chance to help a ‘berry’ good cause following the launch of a new sparkling raspberry lemonade drink this week by ESS Offshore Support Services, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland.
The company has teamed up with Summerhouse Drinks and Barra Berries to create the beverage, and from each bottle sold 10 pence will be donated to The Oil and Gas Chaplaincy. The first shipment of 102 cases left for offshore this week, and ESS has pledged to match the money raised through sales.
The funds will help support the work of The Oil and Gas Chaplaincy, which provides financial support to past and present oil industry workers and their direct dependents through a trust. As an example, the trust, which is financed through donations from the industry, assisted an offshore worker who had become severely disabled with an advanced payment for a Motability vehicle.
The Reverend Gordon Craig, chaplain to the UK oil and gas industry, said: “We are very grateful to ESS for helping to raise money to add to our trust fund. Without donations from companies, it would not be possible to provide the support we do.
“If you know of any person or family who would benefit from assistance from The Oil and Gas Chaplaincy Trust Fund please make contact with us.”
Summerhouse Drinks has been developing its new recipe for the exclusive ESS raspberry lemonade with the Food Health Innovation Service to reduce sugar, resulting in an all-natural product. The juice has no artificial colours, flavourings, sweeteners or preservatives and is pasteurised for a shelf life of 12 months. The flavoured drink also has a high fruit content with the recipe containing 10 per cent of pure raspberry juice.
Graham Singer, ESS food operations manager, said: “We are delighted to have launched the new drink for our customers’ staff to enjoy. It has taken only nine months for our idea to come to fruition and launch, just in time for offshore workers to be able to buy from our Bond shops and enjoy something a little special coinciding with the festive season.
“The process, from taking an idea to the launch of the drink has been positive. We have been able to collaborate with local suppliers, support the local economy and give something back to The Oil and Gas Chaplaincy. With great outcomes for all, we see potential in the product and have a vision to extend the range in the future.”
The bottle’s label was designed by 10-year-old Anna Jackson from Tarves Primary School, Aberdeenshire. The creative youngster was presented with her prizes; an Ipad mini, a framed certificate showing the winning label and a case of the drink. Second place was awarded to Erin Stone, also 10 years old, and third place was taken by 11-year-old Georgia Woods. Both runners-up received a special presentation Parker pen, a framed certificate with their runners-up label submission and a case of the raspberry lemonade. All 148 pupils and teachers at the school also received a bottle each.
Graham Singer continued, “Anna’s design was outstanding and exactly what we wanted for the label of the drink. It is important that we educate primary school children about healthy choices at this age, therefore, myself and Leanne Hewitt, our nutritionist, have offered to conduct bespoke training with primary one to seven classes at Tarves Primary School.”