Our chosen National charity is the NSPCC. We have already raised £2.6 million for the charity over the past 5 years, but the work doesn't stop there!
Giving something back
We set the £2 million target after reaching £1 million back in May 2008, and it's all thanks to the tireless efforts of SPAR convenience stores, retailers, wholesalers and their 50,000 employees. Stop 4 Tea, which ran in May across selected stores around the UK, played a big role in helping us reach the £2 million target.
NSPCC director of fundraising, Paul Amadi said: “The NSPCC’s partnership with SPAR has been a tremendous success. With a challenging economic backdrop, it’s a testament to the dedication and hard work of SPAR stores that so much money has been raised during this period.
“Working with SPAR over the past four years has also increased awareness of the NSPCC Helpline and ChildLine amongst thousands of employees and millions of customers.”
Managing Director of SPAR UK Ltd, Jerry Marwood said: “As a business we have been passionate about supporting the NSPCC which is an excellent charity whose work allows them to take incredible steps each day to protect thousands of children from harm and cruelty. Awareness of our fundraising activities in SPAR stores around the country has exceeded our expectations.
“Now more than ever we are grateful to our customers who have given generously to the NSPCC. As a group of local independent store owners and managers, living and working in the community where our stores are located, our aim is to make the places we live – better places to live."
Working to help communities
This year we proudly extended our charity partnership into a fourth year and everyone at SPAR remains committed to raising funds for their local NSPCC projects and services through organising a variety of events, including Easter, Halloween and Christmas parties.
We are at the heart of the local community and have played a key role in helping the NSPCC raise awareness among local customers about protecting children and preventing child abuse. One third of people in the UK supports the NSPCC in some way every year, with many of SPAR’s customers recognising and supporting the partnership.
In addition to customer and staff fundraising we have organised several hugely successful activities, including a promotion on a range of sandwiches that raised £20,000, and a promotion with Mars-Galaxy that raised a further £25,000, to name just a few.
Award-winning charity work
In September 2007, we were awarded the Retail Industry Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of our focus on the local community and our support for the NSPCC.
The award was presented by Dame Mary Marsh, the then Chief Executive of the NSPCC, who said: “Very occasionally, there is a need to recognise the major contribution that an organisation has made to a sector. A need to take a step back and acknowledge sustained excellence over decades. In this case, a group contributing year after year to raising the standards of convenience retailing for its members, and in doing so, helping raise the bar for all UK retailers. Its ‘There for You’ philosophy is delivered by the management in its support for local issues, and, of course, the NSPCC.”
We will continue our frenzy of fundraising activity around the country in our bid to raise even more money.
Susan Darbyshire, SPAR UK Brand Director, says: “SPAR is a national organisation that works locally and this is why the SPAR/NSPCC partnership is so strong. SPAR retailers and employees are dedicated to this campaign and we will be reaching every sector of society and letting them know how they can take action to bring an end to child cruelty.”
Tracy Griffin, Head of NSPCC corporate partnerships, says: “I am continuously impressed with the dedication and commitment of SPAR employees, not only to their charitable giving, but also to their commitment to SPAR and the customer.”
See SPAR and the NSPCC to find out about some of the weird and wonderful ways we’ve been raising money!