SPAR takes to the water for Tearfund’s life changing campaign

SPAR Northern Ireland has launched their 2019 campaign to change thousands of lives in Africa in the coming months, alongside Olympic rower, Peter Chambers.

Over 840,000 people die every year from diseases directly caused by unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices in countries like Uganda.

Now, Henderson Group, the owners of the SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO brands in Northern Ireland, is matching every £1 raised* in participating stores and online over the next few months for Tearfund to help combat the spread of such diseases.

Last year Tearfund led a group of four Henderson Group employees and retailers to visit Uganda and Rwanda to meet families who are living in poverty, as well as those who have been lifted out of those situations thanks to campaigns like these.

Bronagh Luke, head of corporate marketing who was part of the visiting group says this is an important cause that will have life changing benefits: “It is incredible that in 2019, we still have families living in poverty across the world. It is simply unacceptable, and we are in a privileged position to be able to help.

“Tearfund collection tins and buckets will be placed at tills across participating SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores in Northern Ireland, and we will match every pound raised*. Just £3, which we will double, could bring life-saving water and hope for two people and their community in Uganda. We’re aiming to raise, match and donate £400,000 to this life-giving initiative.”

Ruth Koch, Tearfund’s Northern Ireland director added: “Having fresh water and good sanitation is at the very heart of escaping poverty. Change someone’s access to these and you transform their whole life, which is why we are delighted to be partnering with SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO once again.

“This year’s campaign, Change for Life, has the potential to transform whole communities by providing life-changing water and sanitation help to those who need it the most. Thank you to the Northern Irish public for their outstanding generosity.”

World Champion rower and local Olympian Peter Chambers has also seen first-hand just how much help is needed. He commented: “I saw Tearfund’s essential water and sanitation work when I visited Uganda in 2013. I couldn’t believe the lengths people went to in order to access clean water. By supporting this campaign, you will be changing the lives of whole families: on behalf of people like Rona, thank you.”

Rona lives in extreme poverty in Uganda and her eight children often got sick due to lack of water sanitisation. When Rona took part in training provided by Tearfund’s local partner, she built a rainwater catchment tank to get clean water, and now has a latrine – a tippy tap to wash her hands and keep her clean pots above the ground.

Ruth continued: “Rona no longer has sickness in her home. She and her children have been given the tools for a better, healthier and safer life. Her children are able to go to school and look forward to a better future. This campaign will make such a remarkable difference to families like Rona’s and her whole community.”

To learn more about the campaign, visit SPAR NI online or Tearfund.org/changeforlife.

*up to £200,000.