Much loved Hawkshead food brand, Hawkshead Relish have come up with an idea to offer their support to a charitable cause during lockdown. Knowing how much charities up and down the UK have been struggling as a result of Covid-19, the team at Hawkshead Relish decided to do a little something to help a cause close to their hearts by launching a special edition Thank You Jam.

Traditionally, each year the family-run business identifies a charity to support, which subsequently receives funds raised through the sale of their carrier bags, however because their shop is not currently open, these sales have dried up.

During lockdown, the Hawkshead Relish team noticed a trend developing where their customers were ordering products for friends and family as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for acts of kindness shown during the recent testing times.

With this in mind the team decided to create a limited edition ‘Thank You Jam’ made using their bestselling Raspberry & Vanilla Jam, in order to be able to continue to support a chosen charity with a donation of 50p from every jar sold. The funds raised will go to help support the invaluable work of their chosen charity, Growing Well.

Growing Well, based at Low Sizergh Farm just outside of Kendal, is a farm based mental health charity, which provides a safe, supportive working environment to help nurture mental health recovery.

The work the charity undertakes allows people to reconnect with nature, reduce their levels of depression and anxiety, and improve their social functioning and as a result their ability to pursue development opportunities.

Currently the team grows about 15 tonnes of organic vegetables on-site each year, which are sold through their crop share vegetable box scheme, local retailers, wholesalers and cafes and restaurants.

Maria Whitehead co-owner of Hawkshead Relish commented: ‘’We chose to support Growing Well because the work they do and the support they provide is needed now more than ever and could be needed by any one of us at any time. There’s no question that Growing Well plays a vital role in supporting and helping people attain a new normal in an environment that supports them. It’s an incredibly special kind of place where people can seek help. It’s also a place that also helps to raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues among the wider community helping to reduce negative perceptions and prejudice experienced by so many of us, and that deserves our wholehearted support.’’

Growing Well chief executive Mary Smith said: “The Thank You Jam is a fantastic idea for these times by Hawkshead Relish and we are so grateful for Maria and the team’s continued support of our work – and we can’t wait to taste it too!”

Hawkshead Relish also developed a ‘Thank You Gift Wrap’ and a ‘Thank You Gift Bag’ available to buy, which also include the ‘Special Edition Thank You Jam’ (the full gift item contents are listed below).

These products are available here for both wholesale and retail customers.

Thank You Jam 225g – £2.75

Thank You Gift Wrap – £5.95 (Includes: La’al Thank You Jam, La’al Lemon Curd & La’al Westmorland Chutney)

Thank You Gift Bag – £16.50 (includes: La’al Cheeseboard Chutney, La’al Westmorland Chutney, La’al Red Onion Marmalade, La’al Five Fruit Marmalade, La’al Thank you Jam, La’al Lemon Curd)