A total of 150 Marie Curie nurses in the North of England can now collect essential PPE from their local SPAR store thanks to the support of SPAR UK partner James Hall & Co. Nurses from the charity Marie Curie, caring for patients with and without coronavirus, use an average of over 58,000 pieces of PPE a month. This includes face masks, aprons, gloves, visors, goggles, and hand sanitiser. Due to COVID-19, PPE delivery has been heavily disrupted, and the time and costs greatly increased.

Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant, Flora Snape, has worked for the charity for eight years, covering Central Lancashire, from Preston, Chorley South, Ribble to Blackburn and can travel anything up to 25 miles one way from home.

“It’s a real privilege to care for people at the end of life and support families during a very difficult time. PPE is vital for us to continue delivering vital care during the pandemic”, Flora said.

“I was so happy to hear I could pop into my local SPAR and pick up my PPE, rather than waiting for it to arrive in the post. I was even able to do a bit of shopping at the same time, which was very convenient for me, and I’m sure it will be for other colleagues with busy lives.”

“At a time when coronavirus has had, and continues to have, a devastating impact on our fundraising and income, this initiative from James Hall will help save the charity vital funds. So, on behalf of the nursing service, I would like to say a big thank-you to SPAR for making this possible and for their continued support”, Flora said.

Integral role in the community
Peter Dodding, Sales and Marketing Director at James Hall & Co. said, “Just like Marie Curie Nurses, SPAR stores play an integral role in the community and we are absolutely delighted that we can help save time and money for the charity to spend where it is needed most.”

“Nurses have been able to collect a month’s supply of PPE from their nearest SPAR store, including a network of independent SPAR retailers and company owned stores, all who are thrilled to be able to play a small part in ensuring Marie Curie’s team of dedicated nurses can continue to deliver such a vital service for families across the UK.”

Source: SPAR UK

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About SPAR UK

The UK became a member of SPAR in 1956 when a group of independent wholesalers was granted the SPAR licence by SPAR International. There are five regional partners in the UK with strategically placed Distribution Centres in each region. A central office, located in London, provides national marketing and buying services for the group and supports the development of the brand.

SPAR has led the convenience market in the UK for many years but has faced increasing competition. Always innovative, the five regional partners have continued to grow the brand. Throughout the UK, a combination of independently-owned licensed retailers and company-owned stores can be found, spanning forecourts, airports, train stations, city centres, and local neighbourhoods.