After the success of last year’s initiative, SPAR UK launched their second Community Cashback scheme. Local voluntary or community organisations across the geographical regions in which SPAR operates received grants of up to £10,000 from a total fund valued at £100,000.

SPAR UK has announced the winners of its second £100,000 Community Cashback scheme. Shoppers across the UK were invited to apply for a grant for an organisation they felt deserved funding. The initiative rewards charities and groups for their selfless and vital work in their local communities and aims to help them continue to improve and grow their services.

Record number of applications

There were over 13,500 applications received – 8,500 more than anticipated. SPAR UK partner in the North of England, James Hall & Co, received over 4,000 applications. Appleby Westward, based in the southwest of England and Wales, received over 2,000 applications.

£10,000 grant winners

There were four winners of the largest grant of £10,000 each.

• Ty Hapus CIO supports people and families who have been impacted by dementia. The grant allows the organisation to provide an extra day of fun activities for guests and rest for carers.
• Rainbow Hub delivers life-changing conductive educational work through therapy designed to increase independence in children with physical and neurological conditions. The grant will continue to allow the organisation to help and support families and children.
• Fox & Friends builds community connections through clubs & events that are accessible to everyone. The grant will help the enterprise grow and create its own space to operate and help throughout the Scottish Highlands.
• Air Ambulance NI provides response to the most critical incidents across Northern Ireland. The grant will keep the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in the sky for an additional two days per year.

Giving back across the region

Charities of all shapes and sizes across the UK received funding from the Community Cashback scheme. Appleby Westward chose 18 local recipients to receive support from their £20,000 donation fund. Cornish charity Coast Medic who provide professional medical care to casualties at sea and received a £2,250 grant. Bridport community organisation Stepping Out Cancer Rehabilitation Group received £2,000 towards its much-needed service.

In the North of England, other recipients included Dragonfly Cancer Trust (Newcastle, £5,000), Bury Speakeasy (Bury, £2,000), Wirral Wings (Birkenhead, £2,000) and Streetwise Young People’s Project (Newcastle, £1,000). Street Soccer NI, a grassroots organisation providing football sessions for the homeless and disadvantaged across Northern Ireland, received £1,000.

Suzanne Dover, SPAR UK Brand and Marketing Director, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the response to our UK wide 2023 Community Cashback scheme and we are really pleased to be able to award thirty very worthy local causes with a grant.

“We believe in nurturing our neighbourhoods and supporting the communities we serve. This scheme is another way we are helping to do this, especially now when deserving local organisations need some extra financial support.

“These grants are a way for SPAR to give back to small organisations that are important to the people that shop in our stores.”

Source: SPAR UK

Read more about SPAR UK

About 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.