SPAR UK is celebrating reaching a huge fundraising milestone of raising £2 million for Marie Curie since the partnership began, the equivalent of 100,000 hours of care from a Marie Curie Nurse.

SPAR UK chose Marie Curie as its national charity partner in 2017. This incredible landmark was reached through instore fundraising, customer donations and on-pack product donations.

The money raised has helped Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, to continue providing essential frontline care for people living with any terminal illness and their loved ones. Marie Curie also offers practical information and emotional support on all aspects of death, dying, and bereavement.

SPAR UK responded during the coronavirus pandemic by distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to Marie Curie Nurses. In the South West and across the North of England, Marie Curie Nurses could collect essential PPE from their local SPAR convenience store. This ensured they could continue caring and supporting people in the community during this disruptive time. To date, SPAR has helped deliver over 1 million pieces of PPE to Marie Curie Nurses.

Not just about fundraising

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 in 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 acknowledge SPAR’s loyal customers who make it all possible. We cannot thank them enough for continuing to donate generously to Marie Curie and supporting all the fundraising initiatives.”

Other activities include hospice donations where SPAR wholesalers regularly donate care items to Marie Curie’s nine hospices. Stock drives have also been run to keep clothes and other items flowing to Marie Curie charity shops.

Giving back to communities

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.”

Source: SPAR UK

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About SPAR UK

The UK became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are now five regional partners in the UK. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group.

SPAR has led the highly competitive convenience market in the UK for many years. Always innovative, the five regional partners have continued to grow the brand. SPAR UK comprises independently owned licensed retailers and company-owned stores. These include forecourts, airports, train stations, city centres, and local neighbourhood stores.