SPAR hits £2m milestone in fundraising for Marie Curie
SPAR has hit the milestone of raising £2 million for Marie Curie since its partnership with the charity began in 2017.
SPAR UK managing director Louise Hoste (left), with Marie Curie volunteer Margaret Stott at SPAR Wentworth Street, Wakefield.
The money raised through in-store fundraising, customer donations and on-pack product donations is equivalent to 100,000 hours of care from a Marie Curie Nurse.
In addition to raising vital funds, SPAR UK helped respond to the coronavirus pandemic by distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to Marie Curie Nurses delivering frontline care. In the South West and across the North of England, the nurses have been able to collect their essential PPE from their local SPAR store. To date, SPAR has helped deliver over one million pieces of PPE to Marie Curie Nurses.
Megan Townshend, senior partnership manager at Marie Curie, said: “SPAR isn’t just a partnership that raises money. The entire organisation has integrated what they do to benefit the vital work of Marie Curie. That includes the incredible support SPAR has given distributing vital PPE to our staff during the pandemic, to Go Yellow days in stores, and my personal favourite, the much loved SPAR sandwich that includes a donation to Marie Curie.
“It’s important to also acknowledge SPAR’s loyal customers who make it all possible. We can’t thank them enough for continuing to donate generously to Marie Curie and supporting all the fundraising initiatives.”
Other activities include regular donations by SPAR wholesalers to Marie Curie’s nine hospices. Stock drives have also been run to keep clothes and other items flowing to Marie Curie charity shops.
Louise Hoste, SPAR UK managing director, said: “SPAR has a long tradition of supporting good causes and giving back to communities in which our stores serve. Our partnership represents our collective commitment to help Marie Curie Nurses provide the care they need to give to people living with a terminal illness.
“I would like to thank all our colleagues around the UK for their fundraising efforts. Their commitment and support for Marie Curie has been exceptional. We are proud to continue to do everything we can to support Marie Curie in the coming year.”
