Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Please enter at least 3 characters.
Latest Stories

SPAR NI stores raise over £55,000 in summer fundraising for Marie Curie

SPAR NI stores raise over £55,000 in summer fundraising for Marie Curie
(Photo: Henderson Group)

Shoppers across Northern Ireland kicked off a sensational summer of fundraising when they supported their local SPAR stores’ Blooming Great Summer Fundraisers for Marie Curie, donating over £55,000 for the charity.

Over one weekend in June, stores operating across Northern Ireland held various tea parties, coffee mornings, fancy dress days and fun days for their shoppers, to raise vital funds for the charity which provides end of life care for thousands across the country.


It came hot on the heels of a successful Balmoral Show, where show-goers donated over £26,700 for both Marie Curie and Cancer Fund for Children. Earlier in the year, store activity around the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal raised almost £16,000.

So far this year, SPAR NI store teams and shoppers have raised an incredible £98,396 for their charity partner, and £798,717 since the partnership began in 2017.

“We have had an exceptional first half of the year, dedicated to raising vital funds for our charity partner which does so much for so many in our communities,” Bronagh Luke, head of corporate marketing at Henderson Group, which owns SPAR in Northern Ireland commented.

“Our key events, from the Great Daffodil Appeal to Balmoral Show and the Blooming Great Summer Fundraisers, show there is an army of staff and shoppers willing to go the extra mile for our charity partners, and I want to thank each and every one for making 2023 such a successful year of fundraising already.”

SPAR NI now looks forward to supporting Marie Curie on the annual Twilight Walk, which takes place on Friday 29 September at Shaw’s Bridge in Belfast, as the charity marks its 75th anniversary this year. Participants can either take part in the main event or organise their own walk by registering online.

Conor O’Kane, senior partnership manager at Marie Curie, said: “From the big events to the everyday donations at the till, SPAR NI has been one of our most active and dedicated partners since 2017. Their creativity and commitment to our key fundraising moments throughout the year give us so many opportunities to help those in the local community who need a community nurse for a night, or to provide even more care from our Belfast hospice.

“We’re so grateful for the donations received by the stores and their shoppers which will go towards Marie Curie’s direct nursing care as well as our information and support services and our helpline 0800 090 2309.”

More for you

shoplifting
Photo: iStock

Man charged with 23 shoplifting offences

A 26-year-old man has been charged with 23 shoplifting offences at various stores across Willenhall, West Midlands Police said.

Dylan Goodall appeared at Walsall Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for a first hearing, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. The offences allegedly took place between 14 September and 29 December 29 last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Handcuffed hands
Photo: iStock

Shop staff threatened with knife in Willenhall robbery

Shop staff in Willenhall were left shaken after being threatened with a knife during a robbery on Stroud Avenue on Thursday afternoon.

The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 pm when a man and a woman entered the store and threatened employees with a blade before making off with items including cheese and butter.

Keep ReadingShow less
High streets 'becoming looting ground' for shoplifters
Photo: iStock

Taunton police operation tackles prolific shoplifting, arrests six offenders

A targeted police operation in Taunton town centre has led to the arrest of six individuals involved in shoplifting and related offenses.

The crackdown, launched in response to concerns raised by local retailers and residents, focused on shoplifting hotspots and offenders with repeat crime records. The operation, spearheaded by Taunton Neighbourhood Policing Team and supported by Avon and Somerset Police’s Volume Offenders Team, that target repeat offenders with more than three outstanding crime reports, has already resulted in multiple arrests and convictions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cardiff City Street
Photo: iStock

Wales unveils £10m funding to rejuvenate town and city centres

The Welsh government has on Thursday announced £10million in Financial Transaction Capital to fund regeneration projects across the country

The, has made £10m in Financial Transaction Capital available to fund regeneration projects across the country.

Keep ReadingShow less
Calls raised to remove honours of 14 Horizon scandal-stained individuals

AFP via Getty Images

Calls raised to remove honours of 14 Horizon scandal-stained individuals

An anonymous group consisting of current and former employees of the Post Office and Royal Mail have called on to the Forfeiture Committee to remove of honours awarded to 14 individuals who are connected to the Post Office Horizon scandal.

The 14 names mentioned by the group includes former ministers, civil servants, and Post Office and Royal Mail bosses such as Vince Cable KCB, Ed Davey KCB, Jo Swinson CBE, Donald Brydon CBE, Moya Green DBE, Alan Cook CBE and Alwen Lyons OBE.

Keep ReadingShow less