A team of over 40 colleagues from the SPAR UK partner for Scotland, CJ Lang & Son Ltd, on 29 January 2023 participated in a firewalk to raise funds for Marie Curie. The 40 volunteers from all areas of the business – distribution, logistics, warehouse, head office, and SPAR Scotland stores – raised £4,000 by walking over a fire. Facilitated by the event organisers, SPAR colleagues had training and motivational exercises before walking across the hot embers.
Paula Middleton, CJ Lang Marketing Manager said: “Marie Curie is our national charity partner and we do a lot to support the great work they do around the country. We had never done a firewalk, so we were excited to step into the unknown. The firewalk was an exciting opportunity to not only challenge ourselves personally but to also raise funds for our national charity partner, Marie Curie. The money raised will help Marie Curie continue to provide vital end-of-life care for terminally ill people and their families.”
SPAR retailers in the North of England were thanked for supporting Marie Curie Nurses, providing over one million items of PPE during the pandemic. 93 SPAR stores owned or serviced by SPAR UK partner James Hall & Co. Ltd became PPE access points where 190Marie Curie Nurses in Northern England could collect PPE free and easily.
Marie Curie delegates thanked SPAR Northern Guild retailer Phil Bridge and the highest independent SPAR fundraiser for the North of England, Nigel Masters, during a visit to James Hall.
Nigel Masters said: “We are always keen to support Marie Curie’s key fundraising initiatives so supporting this programme was a natural step for us. Our loyal customers are also incredibly generous, and that consistently means we raise a substantial amount for this fantastic charity.”
Phil Bridge commented: “I was really pleased to open my stores up to be an access point for Marie Curie Nurses as we all had to pull together in what was an unusual time for everyone.”
Mark Clayden, Logistics Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “The end of the PPE initiative marks the end of a chapter and I think it has strengthened the partnership between SPAR and Marie Curie. The pandemic saw us take our support to the communities we serve to a new level. I look forward to the future between SPAR and Marie Curie.”
James Hall continues to support the UK’s leading end-of-life care charity through a sandwich selling initiative. One penny from every SPAR sandwich or wrap sold in a SPAR store in Northern England goes to Marie Curie. Donations from sales reached the £250,000 milestone in 2022.
Source: SPAR UK
The UK became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. As a result, 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 continue 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.
