Ryan Reynolds to donate 30% of UK gin sales to bar staff during Covid-19

The award-winning star of Deadpool​ and Detective Pikachu​, who was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017, initially launched Aviation Gin’s #TipYourBartenders initiative Stateside in a bid to support hospitality staff through the ongoing pandemic.

However, after signing up with new UK distributor Proof Drinks, its been announced that Aviation’s initiative will land on this side of the Atlantic too as 30% of proceeds from online sales in the UK to be donated to The Drinks Trust. 

“The UK is not only home to the world’s most discerning gin drinkers, but also the ‘gintenders’ themselves,” Reynolds said of the extension of his initiative.

“In an effort to support the bartenders we know and love, we will be donating a tip for every bottle purchased online to support the invaluable work The Drinks Trust continues to do.”

Established in 1886 and formerly known as The Benevolent before rebranding in March 2020, The Drinks Trust provides vocational, practical, emotional and financial support to those currently working, or who have worked, in the UK drinks sector.

“We are receiving unprecedented demand for our services at this time,” Ross Carter, CEO of The Drinks Trust said. “The financial concerns caused by loss of work can seriously impact an individual’s mental health and we’re working with experts in both HR and wellbeing to help give actionable advice to all members of the on-trade. 

“We’re grateful to Aviation Gin for its support during this tough period for our industry.”

As reported by The Morning Advertiser​, the trust has pledged one-off financial grants​ of £250 to as many as 2,000 qualifying individuals from the drinks industry during the Covid-19 emergency. 

While it will look to prioritise individuals with health conditions and those caring for dependents, The Drinks Trust Covid-19 Relief Fund aims to help anyone who has been made redundant, subsequently not reinstated and, therefore, ineligible for the Government’s salary grant scheme.