Ten West Cumbria SPAR stores have raised £2,500 for local charity Smile for Miley through a series of fundraising activities.
Stores in locations including Aspatria, Bigrigg, Keswick, Maryport, Silloth, Whitehaven, Wigton and Workington took part in fundraising as staff donned fancy dress, encouraged customers to play guessing games, and baked sweet treats to raise the funds.
It is not the first time SPAR stores in West Cumbria have supported Smile for Miley with colleagues in 2024 raising £4,100 by riding the distance of the Coast-to-Coast cycle ride on exercise bikes in-store.
Based in West Cumbria, Smile for Miley was founded in memory of Miley Todd, who passed away aged 10 in 2018.
The charity’s mission is to provide support to families whose children are battling life-limiting illnesses or are grieving the loss of a young one. It offers financial assistance for equipment, funeral expenses, or even everyday costs that can become overwhelming during such a difficult time.
Michelle Hall, Area Manager for James Hall & Co. Ltd, owner of the SPAR stores involved in the fundraising, says it is a charity close to many hearts within the West Cumbria community.
Michelle said: “Huge thanks to our SPAR customers across West Cumbria who give generously every time we fundraise for charity, but particularly when the funds are going to Smile for Miley.
“Our retail teams really get behind the fundraising too with all sorts of creative ideas. We have colleagues in our stores who know the family, and when you have that personal connection, it means so much more.”
Speaking at the cheque presentation at SPAR Maryport, Miley’s mum Lesley Todd said: “Out of something bad that happened to Miley, the community keeps coming together time and again in all sorts of ways to support us.
“Everyone is so kind and we are hugely grateful for the West Cumbria SPAR stores for their fundraising efforts – it really means a lot. It is like being part of a big family.”
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.
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