They had exciting raffles for customers and door collections to raise money to get an Automated External Defibrillator installed outside the store, which will be available for the community 24/7, 365 days of the year.

The store raised an incredible £1,500 and are currently awaiting installation of the lifesaving equipment. There are around 1,400 cardiac arrests outside of hospitals in Northern Ireland every year and having a defibrillator outside the store can save lives with 24/7 access to these devices.

The Henderson Group, owners of the EUROSPAR franchise in Northern Ireland, have installed 254 defibrillators outside SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores across the country, with each device registered with the NI Ambulance Service and The Circuit. This is the largest network of public access external devices in Northern Ireland and has saved 15 lives to date.

Lisa McKee, EUROSPAR Newcastle Store Manager said: “It will be amazing to have the defibrillator onsite at our store, all thanks to our great team and generous customers for fundraising for this lifesaving equipment.”

Caption: Lisa McKee, Store Manager and Colette Valentine, Community Rep.

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Mindwise NI is a charity which works to support and empower people who are affected by mental health issues.

A team of 25 took on the hike on August 14, in memory of their colleague, Jan Gibson, who sadly passed away last year. The courageous team was made up of Brackenvale staff members, alongside Jan’s husband, daughter, sister and friends.

Due to family, friends and customers’ generosity, the target of £1,000 has been surpassed and the total so far now stands at an amazing £1,717. Some staff members who could not take part are now planning the next hike for Saturday 24^th September, hoping to reach the new target of £2,000.

Michael Barr, Store Manager at EUROSPAR Brackenvale said: “This recent initiative is especially close to all our hearts here at Brackenvale as we sadly lost our colleague and dear friend, Jan, last year. It was great to see the team here getting together with Jan’s family and friends to raise money for the incredible Mindwise NI charity.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support from staff, family, friends and customers and want to thank everyone who has donated, all donations are greatly appreciated by ourselves, Jan’s family and the charity themselves.”

If you wish to support the Brackenvale team, please visit justgiving.com/brackenvaleteamhike

Caption: Rhys Mercer and Rhys McKee from EUROSPAR Brackenvale

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The symbol group began working with the charity in 2016 and donations from customers at MACE Victoria Street Lurgan have helped the store become the first in the retail franchise to reach this impressive fundraising milestone.

Store owner Anthony McDonald says: “I am incredibly proud of our customers who have been so supportive since we started fundraising for NICHS.

“The fact it is a local charity that works with local people is very important to them and they appreciate the work NICHS does in the Lurgan area. I would like to thank everyone who has given so generously over the past six years.”

Jackie Trainor, Director of Income Generation at Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke adds: “We are so grateful for the ongoing generosity of MACE Victoria Street Lurgan customers. We deliver ten care services and programmes within the Lurgan area which include everything from post rehabilitation physical activity programmes and wellness sessions, to connecting people in similar situations and providing practical information and advice on living with a chest, heart or stroke illness.

“The support of MACE Victoria Street Lurgan customers over the years has meant local people have received the support and care that they deserve. We also provide health promotion programmes for local workplaces, schools, community organisations and groups as part of our ongoing commitment to preventing chest, heart and stroke conditions.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to all MACE Victoria Street Lurgan customers for raising this fantastic sum of money as nearly 90% of our care and prevention services and research projects are funded exclusively by donations from the public.

“The generosity shown by MACE Victoria Street Lurgan customers is vital to the work we do, and this money will go a long way in helping support local people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and their families.”

Caption: Mary Cassidy, Assistant Brand Manager- MACE, Anthony McDonald, MACE Victoria Street Lurgan store owner and Jackie Trainor, Director of Income Generation, NICHS.

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Musgrave, which owns or operates the SuperValu, Centra and Mace convenience retail brands in NI, as well as Musgrave MarketPlace and Drinks Inc wholesale brands, saw over 300 colleagues put on their walking shoes and travel a combined distance of 20,000 km.

The challenge aimed to raise vital funds for Musgrave’s long-term charity partners Action Cancer and Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, as well as improve health and wellbeing.

Kathy Simpson, Head of HR Business Partnership said: “One Step at a Time was a fantastic initiative which not only encouraged colleagues to get active and improve health and wellbeing, but also to raise money for two very worthwhile causes. Supporting our charity partners, particularly during these uncertain times when they really need our help, is very important to us so we are delighted to have raised these funds.”

Lucy McCusker, Action Cancer Corporate Fundraising Manager, said: “We’d like to thank SuperValu and Centra for their continued support which helps us provide our vital prevention and life-saving services onboard our mobile clinic the Big Bus. Last year almost 3,000 local people availed of a critical health check or mammogram for the detection of breast cancer on the Big Bus, and the funds that continue to be raised make a crucial contribution to the lives of so many people in Northern Ireland.”

Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Corporate Fundraiser, Steph Ellis, added: “We are so grateful for the ongoing generosity of Musgrave Marketplace and Mace, their staff and customers who, over the years, have ensured that thousands of people affected by chest, heart or stroke related illnesses have received the support and care that they deserve.

“Currently, more than 335,000 people across Northern Ireland are living with chest, heart or stroke conditions – that’s almost 1 in 5 of us. 90% of our care and prevention services and research projects are funded exclusively by donations. The funds raised by Musgrave Marketplace, Mace and Drinks Inc through the One Step at a Time campaign will help us continue to deliver life-changing programmes and support local people affected by chest, heart and stroke illnesses to rebuild their lives.”

Caption:  Musgrave Group Head of HR Business Partnership Kathy Simpson (right), and HR Business Partner Demi Ledley (left) are joined by NICHS Corporate Fundraiser Steph Ellis (second left) and Action Cancer Corporate Fundraiser Lucy McCusker 

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Sarah and Clare Gilliland who are team members at EUROSPAR Kircubbin nominated the charity after they lost their brother John to brain cancer a few years ago. Alongside their wider team, the sisters organised a sponsored pyjama day in-store, while also clocking up the miles on an exercise bike for 18 hours.

Over in Newtownards, the EUROSPAR Hardford Link team were supporting their colleague Amanda Adams, whose son James (4) was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour. To his delight, his mum and her colleagues dressed up as his favourite superheroes for the day, bringing a smile to his and everyone’s face who visited the shop.

In total, over £4,500 was raised by the teams, with additional funds donated by surrounding stores in the area throughout the month of May.

Area Manager, Gavin Neill commented; “We are very proud to have been able to support our team members who are facing extremely challenging circumstances with the loss of their brother, and the diagnosis of little James. As well as supporting them within their roles in store, we’re pleased to have such generous staff and shoppers who have given their time and money towards this initiative, resulting in over £4,000 going towards a great charity.”

Brainwaves NI is Northern Ireland’s only brain tumour charity, aiming to provide support for brain tumour patients, their families and carers, while raising awareness of brain tumours and funding vital research to help find a cure for brain cancer.

£4,500 could enable the charity to provide eight families in extreme need with financial assistance in the future, which, for example, could help with travel costs to get treatment. Accepting the cheque on behalf of Brainwaves NI was Chairman, Colin McMillan.

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