In what was an exceptionally challenging year, SuperValu and Centra retailers across Northern Ireland raised a monumental £130K for long-standing charity partner, Action Cancer.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the brands challenged themselves to reassess their initial fundraising plans which support the life-saving services offered by Action Cancer across Northern Ireland.

Desi Derby, Marketing Director for SuperValu and Centra, commented on the fundraising achievement: “When the pandemic hit at the beginning of last year, our rally call became ‘together we are stronger.’ We knew how detrimental the impact of having to cancel traditional fundraising events and activities would be to Action Cancer, so as a team, we worked collectively to come up with ways in which we could support our long-standing partner in these difficult times.”

“This significant figure is a testament to the dedication of our retailers, colleagues and customers, who have worked tirelessly over the last year to both serve their communities and to help us achieve this impressive fundraising total.”

Five key initiatives

Five key initiatives were developed including, the sale of limited-edition Action Cancer face masks which to date has raised almost £25,000 and are still available in stores priced at £4.  This followed on the heels of a successful Halloween initiative, partnering with local Armagh supplier Gilfresh, which saw the brands pledge a 50p donation from each pumpkin sale.

Throughout the pandemic, SuperValu and Centra have continued to champion their local communities and in June, the brands called on the public to nominate their ‘local store hero’ – a store colleague recognised for going above and beyond to help their local community – a £1 donation was made for every nomination received.

In April, the brands announced their partnership with a local charity initiative showing support for the NHS and all frontline workers – selling balloon shaped stickers for customers to display on their car or home windows.

Bra walk

In addition, SuperValu honoured their annual sponsorship of Action Cancer’s Bra Walk which took place in September and went virtual for the first time.

Gareth Kirk, CEO of Action Cancer, added: “Throughout 2020 the ongoing support of SuperValu and Centra retailers to Action Cancer has been truly outstanding and vital, enabling us to continue with many of our supporting services throughout the year. Without the ongoing support of Musgrave NI our impact and the difference we make in helping to save lives and support people with cancer in Northern Ireland would be considerably less. Thank you, SuperValu, and Centra for your tremendous ongoing and continuing support to Action Cancer and for the contribution you make daily to our local community.”

The post SUPERVALU AND CENTRA RAISE OVER £130K FOR ACTION CANCER DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

SuperValu and Centra stores across Northern Ireland are asking customers to ‘mask up’ to not only stay safe while shopping but also raise vital funds for their long-standing charity partner, Action Cancer.

Following a successful pumpkin initiative at Halloween raising almost £5,000, the retail brands are calling on their customers once again to get behind their latest fundraising drive and purchase a limited edition face mask in store.

The Big Bus

All profits from the sale of the charity face masks will support Action Cancer’s mobile clinic, The Big Bus with its on board breast screening service for women aged 40-49 and 70+ (outside of NHS screening age range) and health checks for men and women aged 16+ .

“This year, our charity partner needs our support more than ever and we are delighted to be launching our face masks at a time when we are working hard to keep our colleagues and customers safe,” said Desi Derby, Marketing Director at Musgrave NI.

“We hope that with the help of our customers purchasing a face mask in store, we will raise some much-needed funds to keep the Big Bus on the road providing a vital breast screening service to many women across Northern Ireland.

“With normal fundraising activities put on hold due the pandemic, our stores have had to look at different ways to fundraise.  In October, we donated 50p from every pumpkin sale which resulted in almost £5000 for Action Cancer – our customers are fantastic at getting behind our initiatives and I’m sure this one will be no different.”

Track record

SuperValu and Centra customers have a superb track record of generosity in support of Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity, Action Cancer.

“COVID 19 has created a challenging operating environment for charities and healthcare providers.  Like many other charities operating in the healthcare sector, we have put in place new procedures and changed how our services are delivered. However, what hasn’t changed is the impact and difference our services continue to make in terms of saving lives and supporting people living with cancer in Northern Ireland,” said Gareth Kirk, CEO of Action Cancer said:

“We’re committed to helping those who need help and we’re extremely grateful for the support of SuperValu and Centra and their customers, all of whom are raising vital funds to allow us to continue to deliver our life saving services.”

£3 million raised

SuperValu and Centra have been partnering with Action Cancer since 2001 and last year reached a landmark fundraising achievement, raising £3 million – one of the largest amounts ever by a company for an individual charity in Northern Ireland.

Face masks are £4 each.

The post Pick Up a Mask and Put Fuel in the Tank for Action Cancer first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.