February 23, 2023
Support for Marie Curie, an associate national charity, from SPAR UK
Since 2017, SPAR UK has donated a total of £2.8 million to Marie Curie, the top end-of-life care charity in the UK. This donation will last through the end of 2022. By taking part in a firewalk in January, 40 SPAR Scotland coworkers were able to donate £4,000 to the organisation. SPAR retailers in the North of England were recognised by Marie Curie for providing their nurses with more than a million pieces of PPE during the pandemic and for continuing fund-raising efforts.
SPAR coworkers help Marie Curie with a personal commitment.
On January 29, 2023, a group of over 40 coworkers from CJ Lang & Son Ltd, the SPAR UK affiliate for Scotland, took part in a firewalk to support Marie Curie. 40 volunteers from the company’s distribution, logistics, warehouse, corporate headquarters, and SPAR Scotland stores crossed a fire to raise £4,000. Before crossing the flaming embers, SPAR employees participated in training and motivational drills led by the event organisers.
“Marie Curie is our national charity partner, and we do a lot to support the fantastic job they do across the country,” said Paula Middleton, CJ Lang’s marketing manager. We were eager to venture into the unfamiliar because we had never performed a firewalk. The firewalk was an exciting chance for us to push ourselves individually while also supporting Marie Curie, our national charity partner. The funds collected will aid Marie Curie in continuing to give terminally ill patients and their families essential end-of-life care.
Support for SPAR in Northern England
Thank you to SPAR retailers in the North of England for helping Marie Curie Nurses by supplying more than a million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. 190 Marie Curie Nurses in Northern England were able to obtain PPE at 93 SPAR stores that were owned or serviced by SPAR UK partner James Hall & Co. Ltd.
During a tour to James Hall, Marie Curie representatives gave thanks to SPAR Northern Guild retailer Phil Bridge and the top independent SPAR fundraiser for the North of England, Nigel Masters.
“We are always eager to support Marie Curie’s major fundraising initiatives, so supporting this programme was a natural move for us,” said Nigel Masters. We consistently collect a sizable sum of money for this wonderful charity thanks to our faithful customers’ tremendous generosity.
Phil Bridge said, “We all had to pull together in what was an unusual moment for everyone. I was really pleased to offer my stores up to be an access point for Marie Curie Nurses.”
Mark Clayden, Logistics Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “The end of the PPE project marks the end of a chapter and I believe it has strengthened the relationship between SPAR and Marie Curie. We increased our level of support for the communities we service as a result of the pandemic. Future collaboration between Marie Curie and SPAR excites me.
James Hall is still selling sandwiches to raise money for the top end-of-life care organisation in the UK. In Northern England, one cent from each SPAR sandwich or wrap sold is donated to Marie Curie. In 2022, donations from purchases passed the $250,000 mark.
SPAR Britain, as a source
Learn more about SPAR UK.
Regarding SPAR UK
When a collection of independent wholesalers received the SPAR licence from SPAR International in 1956, the UK officially became a member of SPAR. There are now five regional partners in the UK as a consequence. The group’s nationwide marketing and purchasing operations are handled by a central office in London.
In the UK’s fiercely competitive grocery market, SPAR has long held the top spot. The five regional partners, who are always creative, continue to expand the business. Both company-owned stores and individually held licenced retailers make up SPAR UK. Forecourts, airports, railway stations, city centres, and neighbourhood shops are a few examples.
March 10, 2023
