Hundreds of dedicated in-store colleagues, customers and suppliers across the UK have helped SPAR UK cross the milestone, funding over 217,000 hours of vital end of life care
SPAR UK has reached a landmark £5 million fundraising total for Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, marking a significant milestone made possible by the tireless efforts of store colleagues, customers and suppliers across the country who have gone above and beyond for nearly a decade to support the cause.
From in-store collections and bake sales to fundraising activities and a range of own label products donating a percentage of every sale, SPAR UK’s teams have driven this significant achievement in its national partnership with the charity since it first launched in 2017.
Since the partnership began, SPAR UK colleagues and customers have helped to make a big difference to those living with a terminal illness and their families by fundraising for Marie Curie’s flagship fundraiser, the Great Daffodil Appeal, which encourages people to support the charity by donating and wearing a daffodil pin each Spring, and through initiatives such as the Blooming Great Tea Party and Go Yellow.
SPAR UK stores have also supported fundraising through own label products, with a percentage donation to Marie Curie, from fresh cut daffodils to limited-edition sandwiches.
The passion behind SPAR UK’s fundraising is best illustrated through the people driving it. Ethan Murphy from James Hall & Co Ltd’s SPAR Brunshaw Road in Burnley took on the London Marathon this year in memory of his grandmother Karen. Inspired by the care Marie Curie nurses provided his family after Karen was diagnosed with a brain tumour, Ethan raised £12,000 for the charity with his mum Victoria and uncles Timothy and Adam.
That same spirit runs through SPAR Scotland, where Karen and Billy Conway, married for 20 years with a combined 65 years of service at SPAR, became key figures behind CJ Lang’s Marie Curie efforts, taking on everything from back-to-back Ben Nevis climbs to bake-offs and Wear It Yellow days.
Director of Logistics Del Phillips has also taken personal commitment to another level. Across numerous events, Del has run over 220 miles, clocked more than 75 hours on his feet, completed nearly 10,000 press-ups and over 1,000 pull-ups, all in aid of Marie Curie. Having crossed the finish line at the London Marathon in 2026, his total fundraising now stands at over £57,000.
In Northern Ireland, Henderson Group colleagues have made SPAR NI’s red stetsons a familiar sight at the Balmoral Show, whilst stores and communities have gone further still through bake sales, spin-a-thons, dress-up days and more – raising over £1 million for Marie Curie since the partnership began, including over £175,000 last year alone.
As the most recent RDC (regional distribution centre) to join the Marie Curie partnership, A.F. Blakemore has made a huge impact in just two years, raising over £550,000 across its SPAR stores, logistics and central functions.
Highlights included SPAR Amlwch, whose team recently completed a 26-mile walk along the Anglesey coastline raising £1,414, alongside A.F. Blakemore’s London Marathon runners – Chloe Taylor Green, Julian Taylor Green and Andy Coleman who raised almost £9,000.
A.F. Blakemore’s top fundraising stores for this year also went above and beyond, with SPAR Droitwich, SPAR Walsall Manor Hospital and SPAR Winthorpe Avenue raising over £27,000 through a wide range of community-driven activities that truly reflect how SPAR nurtures its neighbourhoods.
The £5 million raised is enough to fund over 217,000 hours of Marie Curie nursing care at home or almost 549 days of care in a Marie Curie Hospice, a direct result of the passion and commitment shown by SPAR UK’s teams in communities across the UK.
Marie Curie supports people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer.
Ian Taylor, Retail and Brand Development Director at SPAR UK, said: “We’re immensely proud of all of our colleagues, customers and suppliers who’ve helped us to reach this incredible fundraising milestone for our charity partner, Marie Curie. This achievement is a testament to the dedication shown by SPAR UK teams each day, it is their hard work that has helped us achieve this success.
“We’re passionate about supporting good causes and are committed to giving back to communities in which our stores serve. The dedication shown to supporting Marie Curie since our partnership began in 2017 has been exceptional and has made a big difference to the lives of those needing end of life care.”
Matthew Reed, Chief Executive at Marie Curie, said: “On behalf of everyone at Marie Curie, we want to thank every SPAR UK colleague, customer and suppliers for their support over the last 9 years.
“Currently, almost one in three people die without the care and support they need at the end of life. The funds raised by SPAR UK are vital in helping to change that, with all funds raised through the partnership helping Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals to continue to provide expert care and support for more people at the end of life, and their loved ones, across the UK.
“We are extremely grateful for SPAR UK’s continued fundraising efforts and their help in supporting us with our mission to close the gap in end of life care.”
To find out more about Marie Curie and to donate, visit: mariecurie.org.uk
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