LWC Drinks has donated over 9,000 bottles of sparkling, flavoured and spring water to Age UK Salford as part of Nutrition and Hydration Week.
An important date in the health and social care calendar, the weeks seeks to recognise the importance of eating and drinking well in later life.
The charity will use the donation to support older people across the Greater Manchester area and the donations will be split across Age UK Salford’s day centres, hospital aftercare teams, local discharge units and other hubs based in local hospitals.
Age UK Salford Dementia Support Service (DSS) will also distribute the donations across all of their social groups for people living with dementia and their carers with plans to donate some of the stock to their events during their annual boat race for Dementia Action Week in May.
It is estimated that there are about 3 million (one in 10) older people that are at risk of malnutrition in the UK. However, we strongly believe that due to the pandemic this figure is actually likely to be much higher.
Malnutrition and low appetite gives rise to more hospitalisations, increased risk of infections, slow wound healing and longer recovery from illness to mention just a few. Malnutrition and its related complications are estimated to be costing around £19 billion a year to the Health and Social Care services.
Managing Director for LWC Drinks, Ebrahim Mukadam, said: “As a responsible supplier of drinks to the on-trade industries, we also recognise the importance of looking after the communities in which we operate, and one way we’re doing this in 2022 is supporting charities who provide vital support to people in our society.
By donating this water to Age UK Salford, we hope this will go some way into ensuring some of the most vulnerable in our society are supported and cared for when turning to Age UK, particularly after a period of great isolation and loneliness following the pandemic.”
Sue Fletcher, Assistant Chief Executive at Age UK Salford said: “We thank LWC Drinks for their generous donation made during Nutrition and Hydration Week. It’s been a difficult time for older people in our community during the pandemic and Nutrition and Hydration Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness about how eating and drinking well can help older people stay active, healthy and independent.”
The stock has been kindly donated by LWC Drinks and their suppliers and customers including Marlish, a still and sparkling spring water company in Northumberland, Celtic Splash, a natural spring water company in Wales and Belvoir Farm, a premium soft drink company based in the Leicestershire countryside.