A local business has come up with a unique way to use its products to benefit locals in need of household disinfectant and hand sanitiser.

Aware that a lot of locals were struggling to source sanitiser during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cardrona Distillery has created an alcohol-based disinfectant which is safe on hands.

Anyone in need can take a clean 500ml bottle with a standard spray nozzle to the cellar door reception at the Cardrona Distillery for a free fill of the liquid disinfectant. There are only limited supplies, however, so the stocks are restricted to one per person.

The Cardrona staff is maintaining a list of recipients and has already served a steady flow of locals including some who were collecting the disinfectant for those in self-isolation.

Cardrona Distillery co-founder and owner Desiree Whittaker said it’s a very powerful liquid spray with a high alcohol content but comes with a warning sticker that it’s highly flammable and not potable.

She said everyone was aware how difficult it has been to find stocks of sanitiser locally and this was one small way the distillery team could give back to a community which has supported the business. She said it was a team idea and the distillery operations manager Kenny Vaugh made it work. 

“There’s a lot of stress and a lot of uncertainty right now and this is a time for the community to pull together for one another,” Desiree said. 

Wanaka resident Craig Sudron turned up at the distillery yesterday (Sunday, March 22) with this empty bottle. He said he had tried to buy sanitiser at the local supermarkets and pharmacies without luck and when his wife spotted the distillery’s message on facebook he thought it was a terrific idea and made the trip to Cardrona.

The disinfectant was made available for the first time over the weekend and the distillery has been receiving messages of support from other local businesses, and some locals were even purchasing other items at the distillery as a way of saying thank you, the staff said.

PHOTO: Wanaka App