Have your ‘apple’ cake and eat it this fundraising week

The annual SuperValu and Centra Fundraising Week activity will commence from October 22 – 31, to help raise cash for Action Cancer’s Big Bus and the Health Action Programme for children.

This year, as well as the usual in-store fundraising, SuperValu and Centra stores are really ramping things up by selling an apple tart for £2, with £1 going directly to Action Cancer, and members of Volunteer Now will be doing bag packs and manning collection boxes at selected stores.

Musgrave-owned, SuperValu and Centra, raise funds for Action Cancer all year round but they join forces once a year to create the Halloween-themed, Fundraising Week, explained Brendan Gallen, Head of Marketing, Musgrave.

“Fundraising Week is the highlight of our charity calendar. It’s when our staff and customers get the chance to have some fun whilst also raising cash for the Big Bus which is supported by SuperValu and the Health Action Programme which is supported by Centra and delivered by Action Cancer

“We wanted to go even bigger this year, so we’re going to donate £1 from the sale of special apple tarts available in our stores to Action Cancer.  We want everyone in Northern Ireland to have a happy Halloween, have your apple cake and eat it to help raise cash for Action Cancer.”

The Action Cancer Big Bus mobile screening unit, supported by SuperValu since 2006, travels to over 225 locations a year to carry out both Mammograms for those not usually served by the health service in local communities and Health Checks, helping to bring life-saving services to hundreds of women and men.

Action Cancer ambassador, Mireille McNutt (49), from Bangor, is married to GP, Charlie and they have two children, Charles (18) and Anabel (15).  Mireille had no idea that a trip to her local SuperValu Comber store to get a free breast exam on the Action Cancer Big Bus would be life-saving.

Mireille explained: “I had wanted to get a breast exam for many years, but it wasn’t high on my agenda as I had no symptoms and couldn’t feel a lump.  Plus, I was busy looking after my family and I suppose you never think it will be you, so I didn’t prioritise my health which looking back was so silly.”

She continued: “However, following the devastating news that a close friend had been diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40’s, I immediately went online and booked an appointment on the Big Bus which is supported by SuperValu.”

Following a cancer detection and successful treatment, Mireille is now cancer free, she explained:  “I’m so thankful to SuperValu customers who raise the cash to keep the Action Cancer Big Bus on the road.  As a family, we now spend so much more time together and my husband, who is a GP, has decreased his hours and always recommends health checks to his patients”, concluded Mireille.

The Health Action Programme supported by Centra, which has connected with 500,000 children here, is designed to educate kids on leading healthier lifestyles, including exercise, healthy eating and the dangers of smoking and alcohol.

Beau Decodts (7), pupil at Dunmurry Primary School, was a participant in the Health Action Programme and not only did it affect his life but also his Uncles.

Beau said: “The programme taught me just how bad some foods are for you and that smoking was very bad for you.  I knew my Uncle was a smoker so I make sure to speak to him about it every time I meet him.  I think it’s really starting to work as he is smoking less and I hope he will stop really soon.”

Centra and SuperValu’s Fundraising Week takes place from October 22 – 31, log onto www.supervalu.co.uk of www.centra.co.uk for further information.