Ulverston's Shed One hits landmark charity amount of £15,000

Shed One in Ulverston hit the landmark amount this year as it announced ongoing support to fundraise for Furness Homeless Support Group throughout 2024.

The Barrow-in-Furness based charity provides supported accommodation to those who most need it, plus operates a weekly day centre offering midday meals and more.

This is the fifth consecutive year Shed One has chosen Furness Homeless Support Group as its charity partner.

Since 2020, the local charity has received over £5,000 from Shed One’s ‘Marmalade Fund’ charitable giving scheme, as well as additional contributions from regular fundraising events held at the distillery.

The ‘Marmalade Fund’ is so called as co-owner, Zoe, takes the citrus fruit leftover after the zest has been used in gin-making, to produce gin jelly marmalade.

Then £2 from every sale of Shed One marmalade is donated to the ever-growing charity pot.

Owner and co-founder Zoe Arnold-Bennett said: "Since the day we started Shed One, we knew we wanted to do everything we could to support the local community and local charities.

"Whether it’s through donations, product giveaways, fundraising, or opening up the Shed for community groups to use, it’s important for us to always champion good causes and events.

"However, to have hit the £15,000 milestone is an immense achievement for such a small business and we’re delighted to have been able to put our support behind charities such as Furness Homeless Support as we know how much it means to them."

Chris Bainbridge, manager at Furness Homeless Support Group, said: "When Zoe and Andy at Shed One first contacted us all those years ago, we had no idea just how far reaching their support would be.

"Each Christmas we receive an email saying they have just ‘popped’ £1,500 or a similar amount into our bank account like it’s a completely ordinary thing to do! But they do so much more alongside this.

"From delivering homemade hand sanitiser throughout lockdown, to calling in with different donations of goods throughout the year, to donating money given to them when they’ve held a talk or other event.

"They are the loveliest couple you could wish to meet, and generous yet humble with it. We really do feel very lucky and incredibly grateful to have their support. And it goes without saying their gin is fabulous too."

Over the last 12 months, Shed One has supported more than 20 groups, charities, and events, as well as partnering with Ulverston’s Ford Park and St Mary’s Hospice to create vodka and gin that raises much-needed funds for both.

For more information on Shed One’s Marmalade Fund, visit https://shed1distillery.com/marmalade-fund.