Organisations operating the SPAR Brand contribute to their local communities in diverse ways. In honour of today's International Day of Charity, we showcase impactful initiatives which SPAR country organisations support. Read more about projects in the UK, South Africa, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Hungary, Gran Canaria, and Austria.

SPAR UK

SPAR UK has partnered with leading end-of-life charity Marie Curie as its national charity since 2016. In this time span, more than £3.5 million (€4.2 million) has been raised through various fundraising initiatives such as the Great Daffodil Appeal and Blooming Great Tea Party. Additionally, through customer donations and product promotions instore, SPAR colleagues and customers across the UK have made a huge difference to those living with a terminal illness and their families

Another important initiative from SPAR UK is the £100k Community Cashback scheme, which sees £100,000 distributed among local organisations and charities across the region. UK-shoppers are invited to apply for a grant for an organisation they felt deserved funding. The initiative rewards charities and groups for their selfless and vital work in their local communities and aims to help them continue to improve and grow their services. First launched in 2022, the initiative has returned for the third year running this year, with winners currently being announced.

South Africa

Itumeleng Letoaba is a cancer survivor turned passionate ambassador for Cancervive Ride. Her battle with cancer transformed her into a beacon of hope, inspiring others to fight back. SPAR South Africa proudly supports Cancervive, spreading awareness across communities, even where medical resources are scarce.

In a powerful demonstration of solidarity and support for women’s rights, SPAR South Africa announced a donation of ZAR100,000 and Petals sanitary towels worth ZAR5,000 to the Sinethemba Women’s Foundation. This contribution was made possible through the generous participation of women in the Kwa-Zulu Natal SPAR Women’s Challenge, part of a national series of races celebrating women’s health, community, and empowerment since 1992.

Ireland

The SPAR and EUROSPAR brands in Ireland have joined forces with the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) in a new nationwide awareness and fundraising campaign to help widen access to treatment, improve outcomes, and conduct ground-breaking research into breast cancer.

Austria

Through the SPAR Health Coach Step Count Challenge, SPAR Austria and insurance company UNIQA donated €10,000 in August to the ‘wir sind diabetes’ organisation supporting diabetics and their families. Over 5,000 team members from both companies participated by using the SPAR Health Coach app, tracking their steps from January to May.

Hungary

The Hungarian Maltese Charity Service has been SPAR Hungary’s strategic partner for almost thirty years. One of the most successful campaigns is the ‘Joy to Give!’ school supplies donation campaign, running for the fourth year in a row. The campaign supports children in need by donating school supplies at the start of the new school year.

Zimbabwe

The annual SPAR Zimbabwe Rainbow Run paints the capital of Harare in a vibrant rainbow of colours, bringing the community together for a day of fun, fitness, and philanthropy. Zimbabweans of all ages and walks of life take part in the event, which raises funds for two of its long-time charity partners, Childline and Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZNSPCA), who seek to provide valuable aid for hundreds of thousands of children and animals without a voice in their hour of need, every day.

Gran Canaria

SPAR Gran Canaria has extended collaborations with the educational project Barrios Orquestados for the eighth consecutive year and renewed its agreement with the Fundación Canaria Ochosílabas. Both collaborations reflect the commitment of SPAR Gran Canaria to support the local community, reducing inequalities and fostering equal access to culture.

Furthermore, SPAR Gran Canaria continues to support social inclusion and aid families in need. With a renewed focus on sponsorships and partnerships, the company demonstrates its dedication to various community-driven initiatives, including supporting an inclusive football team, assisting young cancer patients and their families, and assisting families who have minors hospitalised to access a healthy and balanced diet.

Sources: SPAR Gran Canaria, BWG Foods, SPAR Austria, SPAR Hungary, SPAR South Africa, SPAR Zimbabwe, SPAR UK