SPAR UK’s Community Cashback campaign is a grant scheme aimed at supporting and giving back to the communities where the stores are located. This year, £96,000 was awarded to 23 local charities and community groups across the UK. The initiative sees SPAR UK’s regional partners put grant funding into the hands of the causes that matter most in their local communities.

SPAR UK recognises the importance of communities which come together, where local people care. This year’s Community Cashback scheme attracted thousands of applications from grassroots organisations. These ranged from search and rescue services and youth charities to conservation groups and community sports clubs.

SPAR Central & South England, and Wales

The SPAR regional team for Central & South England, and Wales, awarded a combined £38,000 across five community organisations. Top grants of £10,000 each went to RNLI Margate lifeboat station in Kent and Penryn Rugby Football Club in Cornwall. £6,000 grants supported the Pathway Project in the Midlands, the Children’s Sailing Trust in Cornwall and The Dragon Theatre in Barmouth, North Wales. Read more about these important community organisations here.

SPAR North of England

SPAR North of England awarded a combined £25,000 to nine local causes. The top grant of £10,000 went to Behind Closed Doors, a Leeds-based charity providing support to survivors of domestic abuse. £5,000 was awarded to Maryport Rescue for its search and rescue operations in Cumbria. Further grants supported Niemann-Pick UK, Bentham Playing Fields Association, CancerCare North Lancashire and South Cumbria, Barnsley Youth Choir, Susan’s Farm, The Wolsingham Wayfarers and Friday Night Football. You can read about the individual recipients here.

SPAR Northern Ireland

SPAR Northern Ireland awarded seven organisations, providing a combined £20,000 in much-needed funding. The top award of £10,000 went to Plough On, a Cookstown-based charity supporting older farmers experiencing rural isolation. Skywatch NI received £5,000 for its drone-based search and support service. A further five charities, Accidental Theatre, K9 Search & Rescue NI, The Road Ahead NI, Together 21 Northern Ireland and Include Youth’s Give and Take programme each received £1,000. Read more about the individual organisations here.

SPAR Scotland

SPAR Scotland awarded a combined £13,000 to two local causes through this year’s campaign. The Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit (CRRU), based in Gardenstown, Banff, received the top grant of £10,000 to support marine conservation, field research and its 24-hour emergency wildlife rescue service. Missing Pets Dundee & Angus, a volunteer-led group that has reunited lost pets with their owners for 13 years, received £3,000 towards equipment, vehicle and insurance costs. Find out more about these two local causes here.

Fifth consecutive year

As part of SPAR’s 70th anniversary celebrations in the UK, the scheme has a clear purpose, with previous years’ grant winners significantly benefiting. SPAR is passionate about nurturing neighbourhoods and empowering people to make a positive difference to where they live. By working together, a real difference is being made in communities, reflected by the Community Cashback’s grant support.

Read more about the SPAR UK Community Cashback initiative here.

SPAR UK news can be read here.

About SPAR UK

The United Kingdom joined the SPAR retail network in 1956, when SPAR International granted a licence to operate the brand to a group of independent wholesalers. There are regional organisations in the UK that continually build the brand’s presence through a strong collaborative system. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR UK comprises independently owned, licensed retailers and company-owned stores.