Local Supermarkets raise £250k for children’s cancer charity
Retail group Henderson Wholesale Ltd has thousands of reasons to celebrate after reaching an amazing milestone by raising £250,000 for local children living with cancer.
The company’s supermarket stores EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA, have been supporting Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC) since May 2011 and had initially aimed to raise £100k over two years.
NICFC Corporate Fundraiser, Sorcha Chipperfield, said, “The partnership between NICFC and Henderson’s has been a match made in heaven with the stores, their customers and employees really getting into the fundraising, and making it a huge success.”
EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA stores across Northern Ireland have held various fundraising events and initiatives to raise money for NICFC. They have included Golf Days, a Sponsored Slim, The Christmas Make A Change Campaign, 10k Road Races, a Cycle Challenge, Fun Days, and in-store collections.
A group of 19 brave Henderson’s staff members even took on the challenge of trekking the Inca Trail in Peru last year and in September another 11 members of staff will be trekking the Great Wall of China in an effort to raise much needed funds.
Brand Manager for Henderson, Bronagh Luke said, “We’re delighted to have raised such an amazing amount for NICFC. The stores have really got behind the partnership and have been absolutely inspirational in coming up with fundraising ideas, taking part in events and collecting in store. The commitment our staff have shown is reflected in the fantastic amount we’ve raised this year, and we’re so pleased that it is going to support children, teenagers and young people living with cancer in Northern Ireland, and their families.”
NICFC Chief Executive Gillian Creevy (right) celebrates the fantastic total raised with Channel Sales Manager Stephen Gibson and Corporate Marketing Controller Bronagh Luke from Henderson Wholesale Ltd
And their support hasn’t stopped there; Henderson Wholesale Ltd has pledged to continue supporting NICFC throughout 2013 and hopes to raise funds to support the rebuild of NICFC’s therapeutic respite centre, Daisy Lodge. The £3 million project will provide a state-of-the-art therapeutic centre nestled at the bottom of the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle, Co Down.
Daisy Lodge will open its doors in the New Year and will provide short breaks to families affected by childhood cancer, as well as bereaved families. The centre will be a safe haven for families who have been torn apart by cancer, allowing them to spend quality time together and build precious memories.
Sorcha added, “A massive thank you must go to all the staff at Henderson, ViVOXTRA and EUROSPAR who have really got behind this partnership and helped to raise such an amazing amount of money. I’m really looking forward to continuing to work with Henderson in 2013 and can’t wait to see what fundraising plans they have in store!”
