How beer drinkers can ease plight of Ukrainian workers

CENTRAL England Co-op customers can now show their support for humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine by picking up a pack of the country’s most-loved beer.

The retailer is now stocking Chernigivske, popularly known as Che, in all of its 260 plus food stores across 16 counties as part of a campaign by the Budweiser Brewing Group to support workers in Ukraine.

Budweiser has 1,800 workers in breweries in the Ukraine where Che is brewed.

Some of these breweries have been hit by Russian missiles and are no longer operational. Budweiser has paid them their annual salaries upfront to help them transfer to Budweiser breweries in other countries where they can begin a new life.

Budweiser has also created a 10-pack of Che lager, with all profits from its sale going to the humanitarian efforts. The brewer is hoping to raise at least £5 million.

Central England Co-op is backing the campaign by stocking the pack and is also continuing to give its customers and members the opportunity to support the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal in its stores.

Since it introduced the option to donate in-store last month, over £17,500 has already been donated by kind-hearted shoppers.

Store manager Jamie Joyce said: “Everyone has been shocked and saddened by the events unfolding in Ukraine and all our communities have shown their desire to do what they can to support those impacted by the conflict and that has been highlighted by how they’ve given to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal in store.

“We’re delighted to now stock the special pack of Che lager in our stores and it’s a really great campaign by Budweiser which we’re