We have recently reached our target of raising over £2 million for the NSPCC and CHILDREN 1ST since the partnership began in 2006. Fundraising activities across the country range from Halloween parties to coffee mornings, fancy-dress days and Gala Dinners.
Making a difference
Superman of South Hams
Julian Holliss, a SPAR retailer in the South Hams area of Devon, has raised over £10,000 so far by competing in a number of gruelling triathlon events. Holliss has run, rowed, cycled and kayaked many miles – all in the name of the NSPCC.
Six go walkabout
A group of SPAR retailers including Paul Howells, Norman Fisher, Richard Cotter, Dave Phillips, Gavin Fisher and Matt Teague walked from Newport in Pembrokeshire to Newport in Gwent over 5 days in aid of the NSPCC, and were joined along part of the way by Craig Quinnell, ex-Wales and Cardiff rugby player. Stopping at SPAR stores along the way to collect donations (and refreshments), the team raised over £20,000.
Going, going, gone
SPAR Carnon Downs in Truro has raised £500 for the NSPCC following a charity auction event organised by its butchery manager Kendle Bray. Kendle first began the event 12 years ago, with local meats, and holds an auction for various products at the same time.
Yee-ha! A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd goes West!
A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, SPAR’s distributor for North Wales, the Midlands and Eastern England, got a taste of the Wild West when they organised a Country and Western evening to raise cash for charity. The Blakemore Saloon doors opened to a country band playing and the room was decorated like a Western town, complete with cactuses and a full-size wagon! There were even poker, blackjack and roulette gambling tables, where dollar bills were exchanged for £10 notes. The event raised £1,558.66 for the NSPCC.
St Trinian’s made good
Staff at the SPAR store in St Fagans Road, Fairwater, Cardiff recently dressed up in school uniform as part of a St Trinian’s-themed day and raised over £500 for the NSPCC – more than half of their target amount for the year. No detention for these pupils!
COX gets a call for £6,000
Customers and staff at five Cox’s SPAR foodmarkets in Northern Ireland have raised a staggering £6,000 for ChildLine, the NSPCC’s free helpline for children and young people. The family-owned SPAR supermarkets in Ederney, Belcoo, Ballygawley, Armagh and Augher have been busy raising funds with various activities and in-store collections. Noel Cox said: “We are thrilled to be handing over a cheque for £6,000 to NSPCC ChildLine. Our customers and staff have supported our fundraising so generously and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for that.”
A hair-shaving experience
Tom Clarke, a SPAR Sales Manager, usually sports long, dyed blonde hair, but after a bit of persuasion from his colleagues, his flowing locks were all shaved off, raising more than £500 for the NSPCC in the process!
Helston lends a hand
Sue Sharrinton, store manager of a SPAR in Helston, Cornwall, has a great sense of satisfaction after raising a fabulous £1,900 so far for the NSPCC from taking part in a Stop for Tea event, raffles, and collecting coins in a giant bottle. “Not only do the staff feel great about what they have achieved but we all get a chance to get to know the customers a little better. We often find people are really generous because they know about the NSPCC, and they really want to do anything they can to help. They are happy to be given the chance to do that and it’s also great fun.”
A mini marathon in Manchester
SPAR retailer David Jones, his sons David and Paul and his store team from Hazel Grove, Manchester, ran the Bupa Manchester 10km run. Staff from James Hall & Co, our distributors for the North of England, also competed. Between them they raised over £1,000.