Kevin Hunt, Managing Director of Lawrence Hunt & Co, said: “We have worked really hard to support our local communities by remaining open and keeping a supply of essential items available for everyone throughout the pandemic. In return, we are delighted to support Cash for Kids, St Catherine’s Hospice, and St John’s Hospice.”
“We have supported these three organisations for many years and know the effect COVID-19 has had on their fundraising efforts. We wanted to do something to help and hope this donation will encourage others to look towards charitable groups and hospices in the region”, he added.
“During the pandemic, local community groups and charities have suffered as they rely so much on donations from the public. As an independent convenience store business based in Lancashire, we have always been proud to support our local community. Hundreds of fundraising events have been cancelled over the past few months, and we know this injection of funds will help them continue to play a vital role in the community”, he added.
Lawrence Hunt SPAR stores have given a donation of £25,000, the biggest single donation ever received by Rock FM’s Cash for Kids, to ensure that the charity can continue its work through the coming months.
Hope for the Future
Nikki Thompson Charity Manager, at Cash for Kids, said: “The last few months have been the hardest in my ten years at Cash for Kids. Seeing all our fundraising plans and events disappear at the time when we need to help the most has been so difficult. This donation from Lawrence Hunt SPAR stores gives me hope for the future and will make a world of difference to us and the children we support.”
Rock FM’s Cash for Kids has worked in partnership with the Lawrence Hunt SPAR stores across Lancashire for many years. This partnership has seen Cash for Kids collection tubs in store and staff involved in many fundraising events such as Superhero Day and Mission Christmas.
Emma Jacovelli, Head of Community Engagement at St Catherine’s Hospice said: “We’re overwhelmed with the generosity of this fantastic donation, which is all the more appreciated given the unprecedented climate we’re operating in at the moment.”
“We’ve lost valuable income from fundraising events, our shops and our cafe The Mill over the past five months, but the demand for our services for patients and families remains as high as ever. Support from businesses like Lawrence Hunt SPAR has never been more important.”
Catherine Butterworth, Director of Income Generation, St John’s said: “The generosity of Lawrence Hunt SPAR stores is very humbling, and this donation will help our services at St John’s to continue to provide outstanding care to our community.”
Source: SPAR UK
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.
