Oversized cheques were the order of the day earlier this month, as Spar UK celebrated the fifth successful year of its Community Cashback campaign, awarding £96k to 23 local charities and community groups across the UK.
The initiative sees Spar’s regional distribution centres put grant funding directly back into the hands of the causes that matter most in their local communities.
This year’s scheme attracted thousands of applications from grassroots organisations, ranging from search and rescue services and youth charities to conservation groups and community sports clubs.
Ian Taylor, retail & brand development director at Spar UK, said: “There’s nothing better than a community that comes together, and it’s great to see how people across the UK care about their local communities.
“Spar is passionate about nurturing neighbourhoods and empowering people to make a positive difference to where they live.”
“We had such a brilliant response to this year’s Community Cashback campaign, rewarding a variety of local organisations and charities who help others, and we’re delighted to see the difference this grant funding will make in communities.”
Donation highlights
AF Blakemore, the Spar wholesaler for the Midlands, South England and Wales, awarded a combined £38k across five community organisations. Top grants of £10k each went to RNLI Margate lifeboat station in Kent and Penryn Rugby Football Club in Cornwall.
In addition, £6k grants supported the Pathway Project in the Midlands, the Children’s Sailing Trust in Cornwall and The Dragon Theatre in Barmouth, North Wales.
Claire Johnson at the RNLI said: “This grant will allow us to keep saving lives by supporting the rebuild of our lifeboat station and lifeguard facility. With so many people visiting Margate and the surrounding beaches, the lifeboat station continues to have a critical role and is an invaluable asset to the town.”
James Hall, the Spar wholesaler for the North of England, awarded a combined £25k to nine local causes.
The top grant of £10k went to Behind Closed Doors, a Leeds-based charity providing support to survivors of domestic abuse, while £5k was awarded to Maryport Rescue for its search and rescue operations in Cumbria.
Henderson Group, the Spar wholesaler for Northern Ireland, awarded seven organisations across the region, receiving a combined £20k. The top award of £10k went to Plough On, a Cookstown-based charity supporting older farmers experiencing rural isolation, while Skywatch NI received £5k for its drone-based search and support service.
Top grant
CJ Lang, the Spar wholesaler for Scotland, awarded a combined £13k to two local causes through this year’s scheme. The Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, based in Gardenstown, Banff, received the top grant of £10k to support marine conservation, field research and its 24-hour emergency wildlife rescue service.
Missing Pets Dundee & Angus, a volunteer-led group that has spent 13 years reuniting lost pets with their owners, received £3k towards equipment, vehicle and insurance costs.
Taylor concluded: “Our grant scheme is aimed at supporting and giving back to the communities where we have our shops. As we celebrate Spar’s 70th anniversary this year, it feels more fitting than ever, and we’ve seen first-hand how much previous grant winners have benefited from this scheme. We know that together, we are making a real difference in communities.”
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