Blakemore Retail crosses £4 million fundraising milestone for NSPCC

Blakemore Retail said it has reached a £4 million fundraising milestone for children’s charity NSPCC.

The business recently hosted birthday parties across its Spar stores to celebrate its 16th year of the partnership with the charity. The event itself raised more than £35,000. In the last financial year alone, the stores raised £309,000 despite the pressures of the pandemic.

“Raising £4 million for the NSPCC is a remarkable achievement for our colleagues, and we’d like to thank our customers for their support too,” Matt Teague, Blakemore Retail managing director, said.

“The NSPCC does invaluable work to change children’s lives for the better, and Blakemore Retail is passionate about fundraising for the cause. We are incredibly proud to be partnered with the NSPCC, and, having renewed our partnership with the charity for the next three years, we are very excited about upcoming plans and events.”

NSPCC said the funds raised are integral to its multiple services, including the Schools Service which visits primary schools delivering the ‘Speak out. Stay safe.’ programme that teaches children about abuse in an age-appropriate way, and advises on what they should do if anything worries them.

“Despite the pressures caused by the pandemic, Blakemore Retail staff have continued to go above and beyond to fundraise and support the NSPCC. We have been blown away by their enthusiasm and drive, a real highlight being celebrating entering into the 16th year of the partnership with birthday parties raising over £35,000,” Elizabeth Whelehan, NSPCC corporate partnerships manager, said.

“They have raised an incredible amount over the years, and we are so excited to see what the next three years of this amazing partnership will bring.”

This milestone comes as the NSPCC launches their new ‘Home or Out Alone’ campaign, which is being funded by Blakemore Retail and promoted in stores.

This campaign will help parents and carers decide when they can start leaving their children at home safely, or letting them leave the house unsupervised.