Five organisations across the Midlands, the South and Wales have recently received funding as SPAR invests in local communities.
A.F. Blakemore has awarded £38,000 to five charities and community organisations across its trading region through the 2026 SPAR Community Cashback programme, supporting projects that strengthen local communities across the Midlands, the South and Wales.
Delivered through SPAR’s network of regional wholesalers, the Community Cashback initiative enables retailers and wholesalers to invest directly in causes that matter most to the communities they serve. Thousands of applications were submitted across the UK this year, with A.F. Blakemore selecting five organisations to receive funding.
The largest grants of £10,000 were awarded to RNLI Margate and Penryn Rugby Club.
At RNLI Margate, the funding will support the rebuild of the town’s lifeboat station, helping provide modern facilities for volunteers and lifeguards while ensuring the RNLI can continue delivering its vital search and rescue service. Meanwhile, Penryn Rugby Club will use its grant to carry out essential repairs to its historic clubhouse, which serves as a community hub for more than 500 local people.
Further grants of £6,000 were awarded to The Pathway Project in Staffordshire, which supports survivors of domestic abuse; Children’s Sailing Trust in Cornwall, which creates opportunities for young people, including those with SEND; and The Dragon Theatre in North Wales, which is helping establish dementia support services for local communities.
Claire Johnson at RNLI Margate said:
“This generous grant from SPAR Community Champions will allow us to keep saving lives by supporting the rebuild of our lifeboat station and lifeguard facility. With so many people visiting Margate and the surrounding beaches, the lifeboat station continues to have a critical role and is an invaluable asset to the town.”
Caoire Blakemore, Board Director.at A.F. Blakemore said:
“As a family-owned business, supporting the communities served by our SPAR stores has always been part of who we are. Our retailers see first-hand the impact these organisations have locally and we’re delighted that this funding can help them continue making a difference where it matters most.”
The funding forms part of the wider SPAR Community Cashback initiative, which awarded £96,000 to 23 organisations across the UK this year through SPAR’s regional wholesale partners.
Community investment remains a key part of both SPAR’s and AF Blakemore’s approach, helping retailers build stronger connections with the communities they serve while supporting organisations delivering vital local services.
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