Award-winning cider maker, Sandford Orchards, is relaunching its rugby charity cider, Rib Tickler, with donations from its sale going to Wooden Spoon, a charity whose aim is to positively transform the lives of vulnerable children and young people through the power of rugby.

Chief Cider Maker, Barny Butterfield, explains: “Rib Tickler began life as a collaboration between Sandford Orchards and the Rugby Players Association to encourage professional rugby players to gain experience outside of sport. Working with a group from the Exeter Chiefs, which included international players Sam Simmonds, Sam Skinner and Jonny Hill, the players harvested, pressed, blended and bottled the first few batches of this outstanding, fresh apple cider, with the aim of raising vital funds for charity.”

The legacy continues and now, following a rebrand of Rib Tickler, Sandford Orchards has confirmed its rugby charity partner, Wooden Spoon. Every bottle or pint of Rib Tickler sold will help to support the incredible work of Wooden Spoon with £10 donated to them for every barrel sold, including all bottle sales. 

Wooden Spoon is the children's charity of rugby. They are a grant-making charity and fund life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland. In the last year, despite the difficult conditions, they raised and distributed £1,000,700 in grants to support 107 charitable projects helping over 1,113,000 vulnerable children and young people.   

The first cheque for £3,900 has already been handed over and Sandford Orchards will be keeping in touch with the charity throughout the partnership to find out how their donation is helping vulnerable children. Barny adds: “This is our chance to give back as a business to a hugely impressive charity doing vital work. I'm looking forward to visiting some of the projects which we have helped to fund. It's a real pleasure to see the money go to work for children in areas that badly need the support.”

Rib Tickler Cider (ABV 5%) is a fabulous addition to the Sandford Orchards range with rich aromas of honey and baked apple, ripe and buttery on the palate, with a moreish apple skin flavour, balanced with a crisp, natural acidity. It is available in 500ml bottles, RRP £29.75 for 12 and a 20 litre Bag in Box, RRP £58.90 from www.sandfordorchards.co.uk as well as selected retail outlets. 

Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing cider. Combining tradition and innovation, Sandford Orchards produces an award-winning range of core session, traditional, fine and fruit ciders.

For further information on Sandford Orchards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, follow Sandford Orchards on X, Facebook and Instagram. 

For further information on Wooden Spoon please visit www.woodenspoon.org.uk or follow them on Facebook. 

For further information, interviews, samples and images please contact Kath@rawfoodanddrinkpr.co.uk