A CHARITY supporting refugees in Redditch and Bromsgrove has picked and squeezed its latest vintage of fund-raising apple juice.
The Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcomes Refugees (BRWR) project, now in its eighth year, involves the ancient tradition of gleaning which involves picking fruit and other crops free of charge once the commercial harvest is complete.
Sales of the product, called Refujuice, provide a vital annual income of nearly £2000 for Bromsgrove & Redditch Welcome Refugees (BRWR), helping to pay for both practical and financial support for refugees in and around the two towns.
More than one and a half tons of Braeburns were gleaned by a team of eleven volunteers at Bentleys Castle Fruit Farm in Castle Trump, Gloucestershire.
The apples were then pulped and pressed, and the juice pasteurised and bottled in time for Christmas sales.
BRWR treasurer Sarah Deschamps has been a regular volunteer at the annual pick. She said: “I love getting involved in the gleaning.
“It’s a really enjoyable way to spend a morning, and you get to meet some really nice people.
“It’s also incredibly satisfying to see the bins filling with apples and knowing that all that we pick will go to make Refujuice, which will be sold to raise funds to help support our refugee friends.”
The gleaning means apples that would otherwise go to waste have been transformed into 1500 bottles of Refujuice which are already on sale at £10 for three 0.75 litre bottles or £38 for a case of 12.
Local home delivery is included in the price. Contact [email protected] to place an order. Visit www.brwr.uk for more information.
