US-based Seven Jars Distillery has partnered with technology company Lightspeed POS to offer hand sanitiser to more than 200 first responder organisations and local businesses.

The shortage in the availability of hand sanitiser has been a significant issue in the fight against Covid-19 spread.

At present, as small businesses begin to re-open, it is critical to provide first responders with products such as Seven Jars Hand Sanitiser to keep them safe, the distillery said.

The companies will provide the sanitiser free of charge this week as the North Carolina economy gears up for the first phase of re-opening.

Seven Jars Distillery managing partner Del Ratcliffe said: “Lightspeed POS has been a great technology partner during our pivot to making hand sanitiser during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing us to quickly move to online sales and distribution of this product.

“But when they called us and said they wanted to support our community by donating hand sanitiser, it literally blew us away. How often does a company located in another country do something like that for your local community?”

Seven Jars Distillery is delivering the products directly to the recipient companies and first responders. This will save shipping costs and enable the investment from Lightspeed to reach out to as many recipients as possible.

Lightspeed has invested more than $10,000 in retail value of hand sanitiser.

LightspeedPOS founder and CEODaxDasilva said: “Lightspeed is a technology company whose mission focuses on bringing cities and communities to life by powering the small businesses and entrepreneurs that make them successful.

“We realised that a tangible way we can help is by ensuring SMBs and first responders have the hand sanitiser they need to do their jobs safely.”

Seven Jars Distillery is a craft distillery, offering six brands of spirits including vodka, rum and whiskey.