Through the generosity of SPAR, the North Sea Area can be created within our park which will enable visitors to see and discover the creatures and their habitat in a Sea which is so close by
Marten Foppen, general manager of the Dolfinarium
Mariëlle Witjes, marketing manager of SPAR Netherlands, recently handed over a cheque for the amount of €10,000 to the general mananager of the Dolfinarium in Harderwijk. The Dolfinarium will be using this contribution to develop a project titled ‘North sea area’ whereby visitors can discover the variety of sea life present in the North Sea.
North Sea Area
"Through the generosity of SPAR, the North Sea Area can be created within our park which will enable visitors to see and discover the creatures and their habitat in a Sea which is so close by", said Marten Foppen, general manager of the Dolfinarium. Within the area will also be a summer and a winter hotel in which the most unusual guests which reside in the North Sea will be found. Within the Laboratorium there will be a lot to discover. It will be possible to taste the difference between sweet and salt sea water as well as such attractions as the metamorphosis of a platvis which switches over from horizontal to vertical swimming. The unique story of the orca Morgan will also be part of the North Sea Area attraction. "Although she no longer lives in the Dolfinarium we plan to include a lot of information about her", continued Mr Foppen.
Campaign
From January to March, SPAR organised a national savings campaign for consumers : the Garfield Stickermania. It was hereby possible for consumers to earn stickers when they were doing grocery shopping featuring the slogan ‘All animals of the ocean’. Arising from this campaign, SPAR opted to sponsor a total of four animal parks in The Netherlands.
Tours
"In exchange for the sponsorship, the Dolfinarium will provide guided tours for children and their firends who were active participants in the campaign" explained Mariëlle Witjes. "In this way, children will be able to learn more about the sea life and the park also benefits from our campaigns."
Kincaidston Primary School, South Ayrshire UK, is cooking up a storm
The school approached SPAR looking for a contribution of one month’s supply of ingredients, however since SPAR support and promote healthy eating and are keen to raise awareness of its ever increasing fresh food options and meal ideas.
SPAR Kincaidston has ensured that Kincaidston Primary School’s ‘Cooking Bus’ Initiative will carry on for at least another two years!
The Initiative is one of two, designed to engage children in the skills and knowledge required to make healthy choices and to encourage them to improve their health and wellbeing.
Once a month, one class will get the opportunity to choose a recipe, go to SPAR to purchase the ingredients, prepare the recipe and then enjoy the food that they have prepared. The children will then be able to take home the ideas and recipes to share with their families
The school approached SPAR looking for a contribution of one month’s supply of ingredients, however since SPAR support and promote healthy eating and are keen to raise awareness of its ever increasing fresh food options and meal ideas.
Company Owned Controller (South) Bill Mair insisted on ensuring that such a fantastic initiative that complemented SPAR’s own philosophies should be allowed to be comfortably sustained for the long term, and offered enough vouchers to allow The Cooking Bus to carry on for at least two years
SPAR announces UK Athletics Sprint Stars line-up for 2012
SPAR Sprint Stars
SPAR's support gave me a massive boost last year. Just having a company like SPAR believe in me spurred me on and I learned so much. I had a great year in 2011 and the SPAR Sprints programme undoubtedly helped
2011's winner of SPAR's Athlete of the Year, Andrew Pozzi
SPAR UK has announced the second year running of its hugely successful SPAR Sprint Stars programme, which supports the next generation of talented British sprinters.
All eight sprinters have been selected by UK Athletics from its Futures Programme. Athletes who have benefitted from SPAR's support in the past include Martyn Rooney, Meghan Beesley and Danny Talbot.
This year's Sprint Stars are: Desiree Henry (100m/200m), 16; Clovis Asong (400m), 17; Sophie Papps (100m), 17; Emily Diamond (200m/400m), 21; Yasmin Miller (100mh), 16; Abi Fitzpatrick (400mh), 18; Niall Flannery (400mh), 20; and Hayley McClean (400mh), 17.
SPAR UK will be giving each SPAR Sprint Star financial support and other benefits including food, travel, kit and advice throughout the year to help them make the difficult transition between junior and senior athlete.
Rebecca Whitmore, SPAR UK Marketing Manager said: "We're looking forward to working with this new group of outstanding talent after seeing the fantastic results the scheme has had with athletes such as Andrew Pozzi.
"The programme works brilliantly for SPAR as it is supporting young talent and promoting links with our schools, the masterclasses we run and also the elite athletes we work with. The scheme also helps promote health and fitness at a local and community level – a key objective for SPAR UK and its retailers," she said.
UKA Strategic Head of Coaching & Development Kevin Tyler said: "Last year's SPAR Sprint Stars programme was a great success and this kind of support can make all the difference to a young athlete, giving them the self-belief and enabling them to stay in the sport."
2011's winner of SPAR's Athlete of the Year, Andrew Pozzi, said: "SPAR's support gave me a massive boost last year. Just having a company like SPAR believe in me spurred me on and I learned so much. I had a great year in 2011 and the SPAR Sprints programme undoubtedly helped."
SPAR has been a principal partner of European Athletics since 1996 and an Official Sponsor of UK Athletics since 2004, firmly demonstrating the company's enthusiasm for all things sport-related and its commitment to promoting active lifestyles.
UK: Fundraising by SPAR staff, customers and partners
The staff at SPAR St Fagans at the hippie-themed charity event
Raffle winners at the Ledbury Road fundraising fun day
SPAR Carterton helps Mayor’s charity
SPAR Ladybank helps to bring fun to the community
Cheque towards Vanessa Riddle's fight against cancer appeal
The SPAR Gotham team who raised funds for injured servicemen and women
Staff from Blakemore Food Service hand over cheque of £6,000 to the Walsall Palliative Care Centre
SPAR UK customers, staff and partners raise money for a variety of good causes from a local girl's fight against cancer to rehabilitation for injured service personnel. Here we recognise these recent projects undertaken in the UK.
SPAR St Fagans raises charity cash
Staff at SPAR St Fagans donned their glad rags for a hippie-themed charity event and raised a total of £1097.50 for the NSPCC. The store has raised more than £13,000 for the NSPCC during the last four years.
Store manager Allen Lane said: “It was a fantastic day. People around here are so generous and we always have fun whenever we put on an event. The NSPCC is such a worthwhile cause and we would like to thank everyone who donated.”
SPAR Ledbury Road hosts fundraising fun
A fun day held at SPAR Ledbury Road raised more than £400 for charity.
The event was organised to help four employees who are raising funds for St Michael’s Hospice by taking part in the Hereford Half Marathon.
Georgina, the store’s Development Manager said: “We had an absolutely brilliant day. The total we raised was a great achievement and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came.”
SPAR Carterton helps Mayor’s charity
An Oxfordshire convenience station has been building a good name for itself by striving to be at the forefront of community fundraising.
SPAR Carterton has helped the town’s mayor Cllr Norman MacRae raise funds for Helen and Douglas House, the first hospice in the world for children. Cllr MacRae MBE said: “I am indebted to Mark Wilson of SPAR Carterton, and to the owners, the Fraser brothers, for the fantastic support they have given me. I have been working hard to raise funds for Helen and Douglas House and the store’s efforts have enabled me to raise £800 for a cause which is entirely funded by donations.
Other causes which have received help from the store include the Poppy Appeal, the Lions Club of Carterton, Sobell House Hospice Charity, Cerebra and Brize Norton and Carterton District Guiding Association.
Operations manager of Frasers Retail Ltd Mark Wilson said: “We do charity work so we can forge a strong relationship with our local community. A few members of staff have children which have benefitted from the work we do and it really gets us recognised in the community.”
SPAR Ladybank helps to bring fun to the community
CJ Lang & Son Company owned stores Area Manager Jill McEwan & SPAR Store Manager Christine McLaren, helped Ladybank officially welcome the much needed Play Park to the community.
SPAR Ladybank contributed £459 to the play park fund last year, from monies collected through the SPAR Carrier bag initiative.The initiative, which has seen a staggering £180,000 being raised for local charities since its launch in 2008, donates the 2p charge from every 'single use' carrier bag sold.
Every 2p is collected and donated to a locally nominated charity, benefitting not only the local area in which SPAR serves, but also positively impacting on the environment. Such is the case that SPAR has reduced its carrier bag usage by over 40% since the launch of the scheme
SPAR supports local girl's fight against cancer
11 year old Vanessa Riddle was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in February 2009 and has since endure several cancer treatments and two lots of surgery.
She was given the all clear in 2010, but a routine scan in December 2011 revealed the awful news, that the cancer was back!
Relapse treatment is only available in America, but at a cost of at least £500,000, a huge fundraising effort by family and friends is underway to get Vanessa the treatment she needs as soon as possible.
Store Managers from SPAR stores in Portland Street and Logan Drive were so moved by Vanessa’s story that they decided to contact their Dundee based Head Office CJ Lang & Son to ask for help and placed donation buckets at their till points. CJ Lang made the generous donation of £1000 and shoppers to the store have raised over £800 so far.
The Vanessa Riddle appeal has raised an overwhelming £355,000 if you would like to help reach the £500,000 needed for Vanessa’s treatment in America, go to www.justgiving.com/vanessa-appeal
SPAR Gotham raises funds for injured servicemen and women
A SPAR store raised more than £800 for charity when it held an open evening.
SPAR Gotham hosted the event in aid of Row 2 Recovery, a British service charity which helps rehabilitate injured servicemen and women by supporting wounded soldiers on a transatlantic rowing challenge.
Ex-British Army captains Ed Janvrin and Alex Mackenzie and four injured servicemen embarked on the epic 3,000-mile voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in a rowing boat last December. One of the injured servicemen, Carl Anstey, is a resident of Gotham.
Around 300 people attended the event on Wednesday 1st February, which coincided with the launch of the store’s extended opening hours.
“We thought it was such a worthwhile cause,” said store owner Jane Samson. “There was a phenomenal response for raffle prizes. We had a week in Tenerife and a taxi ride to Nottingham to name a few.
“SPAR donated wine for the evening and our account manager John Woodward did a tasting. SPAR also donated sausages burgers and rolls and we made little nibbles so people could have a bite to eat.
Jane decorated the store, had a Union Jack outside and organised gazebos and outdoor heating so people could come into the store or enjoy the evening in the fresh weather outside.
“We were absolutely gobsmacked by the amount we raised. It was a bitterly cold evening and we would like to thank everyone who came,” she added.
The store had also raised a further £300 prior to the event via a collection tin on its counter.
Employees raise £6,000 for Walsall Palliative Care Centre
Employees from Darlaston based food distributor Blakemore Food Service have raised £6,000 for the Specialist Palliative Care Nurse Specialist team based at the Walsall Palliative Care Centre.
Palliative care is medical care for people with a serious illness such as cancer; care may be provided from specialist teams to patients with symptoms of pain, vomiting and psychological distress.
A combination of efforts has seen the money be raised, including fancy dress days, coffee mornings, competitions and cake sales.
In addition to this the company’s charitable trust, the Blakemore Foundation, has matched fundraising undertaken for this worthy cause.
Sue Crabtree, Head of Palliative & End of Life Care for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Many of the patients who use the services in the Walsall Palliative Care Centre will do so as part of their recovery and their ongoing care.
“For other patients, although they may have an illness that will remain with them, we are able to offer a range of treatments that will enable them to live positive and fulfilling lives as long as they are able to do so.”
Sindy Dhallu, Clinical Operations Manager of Specialist Palliative & Cancer Care, commented: “We will be using the kind donation to purchase McKinley T34 syringe pumps for patients in Walsall. This is a medical device used to deliver drugs to patients in order to control symptoms such as pain, nausea or vomiting, especially at the end of life.
“This will also help to keep patients at home rather than having to go into hospital.”
Netherlands: Sales of Fairtrade products support housing projects
Through this donation we support the improvement of the living standards of the farmers and their communities
Sjaak Kranendonk, Managing Director SPAR Netherlands
Sjaak Kranendonk, Managing Director SPAR Netherlands, awarded a cheque for €5,000.00 to Peter d’Angremond, the director of the Max Havelaar institution. During the Fairtrade Week, €0.25 was donated to a housing project in the Columbian district of Magdalena for every sale of an assortment of Fairtrade products.
Fairtrade Week
This new fundraising idea came about as a result of Fairtrade Week. SPAR decided to set aside €0.25 from the sale of each pack of Fairtrade coffee, tea or bunch of bananas. Mr Kranendonk said “through this donation, both ourselves and our customers support the improvement of the living standards of the farmers and their communities. This fits with the objective of Fairtrade which has this as one of its own goals, but the additional funds will help, thanks to the support of our customers.”
Community gardens
In the Magdalena Region in Colombia there are six co-operatives of banana growers allied to the Fairtrade movement. The farmers work in three locations: Riofrio, Orihueca and Guacamayal. There are a number of homeless elderly residents in the villages and the co-operative plan to use the money which was donated by SPAR to house them. In addition, they plan to provide meals and encourage them to grow their own vegetables in community gardens, supported by professional growers.
Living environment
SPAR strives for sustainability at all levels. Included in this is the improvement of the living environment in villages and small towns in the Netherlands as well as those far away. “We are actively working together with our suppliers to provide sustainable neighbourhood supermarkets,” said Sjaak Kranendonk.
INTERSPAR has been a partner of SOS Children’s Village since 2004. In 2012, INTERSPAR will sponsor eleven houses – one in each of the SOS Children Villages in Austria. Additionally, the work of the SOS Children’s Village living group for children in Vienna Floridsdorf will be continued.
INTERSPAR will continue to support the parents’ work in the SOS living group for children in Vienna-Floridsdorf in 2012. “In this way, we prepare children and parents for a life back together,”explains Managing Director of SOS Children’s Villages Christian Moser, adding that “with the long-term partnership INTERSPAR is giving a clear signal to help needy children and young adults. I would like to thank INTERSPAR very much for this support.”
Since 2004 about €745,000 Euro donated to SOS Children’s Village
In the past eight years, INTERSPAR has donated about €745,000 Euro to SOS Children’s Village. “Children are the future. As an Austrian family business we are very proud to work together with our customers to secure a successful future for young people,” says INTERSPAR Managing Director Markus Kaser.
Switzerland: 25 years Children's Cancer Foundation - SPAR donates 20,000 Swiss Francs
Wolfgang Frick from SPAR and Brigitte Setz with the cheque
In December, SPAR Switzerland ran a fund-raising campaign for the Children's Cancer Foundation under the name ‘gleam of hope' during which 20,000 Swiss Francs were collected. The cheque was handed over to the Children's Cancer Foundation Switzerland in the SPAR neighbourhood store Spisergasse in St. Gallen.
SPAR customers who bought SPAR private label brands in December participated in the fundraising campaign ‘gleam of hope’, since a percentage of the sale was donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation Switzerland. From this sale of private label products, consisting of more than 650 items, about 20,000 Swiss Francs were collected. It was the tenth consecutive year that SPAR ran the fundraising campaign and has donated over 300,000 Swiss Francs in total to support children suffering from cancer in Switzerland.
Zimbabwe: Helping vulnerable children enjoy the party
SPAR Zimbabwe has been helping put a smile on the faces of vulnerable children and the physically challenged by donating food and groceries.
SPAR Zimbabwe donated lunches, snacks and groceries to a range of events organised by charities and good causes.
Food stuff, groceries and a takeaway meal for the Jairos Jiri party in Harare. Jairos Jiri is an institution that cares for the physically and mentally challenged and has several homes all over the country.
Snacks and drinks to the Dance Trust of Zimbabwe Outreach Festival. The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe teaches physically challenged children to dance for free throughout the year. At the end of the year they then hold The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe Outreach Festival as an opportunity for the children to perform what they have learnt as well being a way to give the children a party.
Lunch and snack packs to the Miracle Missions party for 11 orphanages. Miracle Missions is an organisation involved in civic issues, prisoner welfare as well as orphan care. They hosted a party for 11 orphanages from around Zimbabwe hosted at a school in Harare. Over 1100 children attended the party. The children were also treated to performance by a clown, jumping castles and lots of fun activities.
Snacks and treats for the Dream Project parties. The high density area of Mbare is one of Harare’s oldest suburbs having been developed for the African labourers during the colonial era. It is also an area with a high level of poverty and the informal sector is rife. The Zimbabwe Dream Project aims to engage young people in this community in sport and thereby mitigate the effects of the high rate of school drop-outs and the breakdown of the functional family in these communities. The Dream Project held a Christmas party at each of four orphanages around Harare.
Sprint hurdler Andrew Pozzi was crowned the winner at the annual UK Athletics dinner, in front of an audience of his fellow SPAR Stars athletes.
Pozzi has recorded a British Under 20 record and came 3rd in the European All-Time junior list over 99cm barrier and is now ranked top in the Under 20s and 5th senior in the UK. He will also receive £1,000 from SPAR which will help the athlete as he continues to train and compete in 2012.
Andrew Pozzi said: "I'm absolutely chuffed with my performance this year and really pleased to be part of the SPAR Stars programme with all the help it has given me."
SPAR UK Marketing Manager Rebecca Whitmore said: "Each year we recognise the achievements and progress of ten athletes who are hand-picked for their talent by UK Athletics, by inviting them to become SPAR Stars and part of the SPAR Sprints Programme.
"Andrew thoroughly deserves the award, and we wish him the best of luck as he goes on to compete at Senior level next year with the Indoor season and the all important summer Outdoor Athletes season," she said.
UKA Strategic Head of Coaching & Development Kevin Tyler said: "We're delighted about SPAR's ongoing support for our young athletes. The partnership is a perfect fit for our athletes who will benefit enormously from SPAR's continued sponsorship and support, allowing them to achieve their performance goals and reach their potential to deliver global medals for Britain in the future."
SPAR has been principle sponsor of the European Athletics Association since 1996 and a sponsor of UK Athletics since 2004 and recently extended the partnership until 2013.
The SPAR Stars scheme involved 10 junior sprinter athletes aged between 17 and 20. The programme allows athletes to develop and hopefully perform at the highest level in years to come.
The other SPAR Stars are Eugene Ayanful, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Meghan Beesley, Emily Diamond, Tremayne Gilling, Louis Persent, Kieran Showler-Davis and Deji Tobais.
This year the Stars achieved nine personal bests, five age-group national titles, 10 international medals, a national record and a senior Aviva GB and NI debut.
Austria: Sticker mania helps build a new school in Africa
The wildlife photography from one of the coldest regions of the world helps to improve education in one of the hottest countries
€35,000 donated to charitable organisation ‘Menschen für Menschen'
Dr. Gerhard Drexel, CEO of SPAR Austria, handed over €35,000 to the charitable organisation ‘Menschen für Menschen' to help build a school in Ethopia. The money comes from sale proceeds of sticker albums for ‘Polar adventure' which caused sticker collecting fever in Austria.
Share successes, share with people
SPAR stands for social responsibility. "It is natural for us to pass on part of our success", explained Dr. Gerhard Drexel. "The wildlife photography from one of the coldest regions of the world helps to improve education in one of the hottest countries".
Helping people in Ethiopia help themselves
"Through donations from the second SPAR sticker mania in spring 2011, we were able to start with the construction of a school for 400 children. With this additional generous donation we can develop a second school building, giving even more children access to education", said Almaz Böhm from Menschen für Menschen.
Local staff are often employed in their local SPAR store
Bert-Jan van der Beek, his wife and their entire staff are fully committed to the village, and the supermarket is clearly recognised as being part of the community. The residents are delighted that they do not have to shop outside the village for their daily fresh requirements
SPAR van Been in Vuren re-opens
After having undergone a major metamorphosis, the SPAR supermarket in Vuren has re-opened. The young, energetic independent SPAR retailer, Bert Jan van der Beek, is continuously searching for opportunities and improvements. He is currently participating in the training provided by the SPAR Academy and regularly meets fellow SPAR retailers to discuss about developments in the industry and is also a participant in one of the logistics groups within SPAR.
Vuren is a village with 2,050 residents and the SPAR competes with other formats in the town of Gorinchem, only 5 kilometres away. Bert-Jan van der Beek, his wife and their entire staff are fully committed to the village, and the supermarket is clearly recognised as being part of the community. The residents are delighted that they do not have to shop outside the village for their daily fresh requirements.
Research from University of Amsterdam on local community shops, 2011
In the local shops project, science students from the University of Amsterdam conducted research about local grocery stores. Moreover, the Amsterdam Historic Museum held an exhibition with the same theme. The students carried out an ethnographic research about suburban grocery stores in Amsterdam: ‘Research with an apron' was the title of the research. The focus did not lie on economic aspects, but mainly on the social role of local stores. What purpose do local stores have, and are they correct/right? Can local shops fulfill the expectations of local politicians?
Local shops are threatened with extinction which is very much regretted not only by residents but also by local politicians and policy makers. The shops ‘around the corner' have a special social role, not only for daily shopping but also to meet people. They are important for the local economy and for the social connection, i.e. the cohesion in the neighbourhood. Social cohesion is a broad term which means a lot to local government, which is concerned about the disintegration of mixed neighbourhoods. Stores play a role in the integration of inhabitants; therefore shopkeepers should receive subsidies in order to ensure their continued existence.
The results of the research have shown that there is a diversity of local stores and diversity in their social roles. There are two main shops which can be distinguished: Stores which have a homogenous group of customers, for instance the baker, whose indigenous clients get older and older, the Islamic butcher who has customers who primarily share the same religious beliefs or the tailor who focuses on the rich people n. The second group includes the shops which have a broad customer circle and know how to target them. When the Turkish butcher joined forces with the local shopkeeper, half of the clientele was Turkish, but in addition students, young dual earners and older residents also buy groceries there. i.e. a variety of people purchase their groceries. That is what local store managers mean with the term social cohesion: mutual contacts in mixed neighbourhoods. These kinds of contacts are mostly volatile, and appear to be a light version of social ties, resulting in a certain reputation and familiarity.
In the stores with a more homogenous crowd, where people feel that they are equal and meet like minded people, the ties are stronger. These are enclaves for the city and very precious spots. These locations are cherished by users, but policy makers are ambivalent about such social homogenous places.
Local stores can strengthen the identity of a specific group or even enhance it into a symbolic severing of ties. These can be safe enclaves which mean social cohesion but can also contribute to a lighter, more symbolic form of involvement. Both roles are important. How and to which degree a shop can fulfill such a role, depends on the store owners and how they fulfill the role of the hosts. This also seems to be the conclusion of the project.
Summary of presentations by Carolien Bouw, University of Amsterdam
Austria: New house for crisis residential centre SIMBA in SOS children's village Altmünster
Our cooperation with SOS children's village certainly isn't over with the opening of the new house. Currently, we are selling shopping bags designed by children in favour of SOS children's villages, as we prepare the next donation. Also for the Christmas season we have plans
INTERSPAR Managing Director Markus Kaser
After about a year of construction, the two INTERSPAR Managing Directors Fritz Seher and Markus Kaser, together with SOS President Helmut Kutin and SOS Managing Director Christian Moser, together with other supporters of the project, opened the new house in SOS children's village Altmünster. The new crisis residential centre for children from highly burdened families was funded with donations from INTERSPAR as the major supporter of the project. The €400,000 originate from the campaign 'A house for Children' launched by INTERSPAR in 2010 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of INTERSPAR in Austria.
The largest fundraising campaign in the 40 year history of INTERSPAR concluded on October 5th 2011 in SOS children's village Altmünster. "On the occasion of our 40th anniversary, customers were able to support the campaign 'A house for children' through the purchase of selected products in 2010. With the purchase of toys, birthday cakes from the INTERSPAR bakery and INTERSPAR shopping bags, around €400,000 was raised and donated to our longtime partner SOS children's villages", said INTERSPAR Managing Director Fritz Seher. "This money was invested in the renovation of the existing crisis residential centre SIMBA in children's village Altmünster. Here we take care of children from difficult family circumstances who temporarily cannot live with their families", explained Christian Moser, Managing Director of SOS Children's Villages Austria, thanking INTERSPAR for their great support.
Care places for children from difficult family circumstances
The new house provides crisis care places for 13 children. Over a space of 671 m2 there are play and therapy rooms in addition to bedrooms as well as meeting rooms, adapted to the special needs of the children, meeting modern educational standards. The children (aged between 3 and 13 years old) are supervised by social workers and receive psychological and therapeutic support.
Longtime partnership with INTERSPAR
Through its longtime partnership, INTERSPAR is very decided about this agreement. Since 2004, INTERSPAR has supported SOS children's villages with the proceedings from drawing and photography competitions and since 2008 has also adopted one house in each of the 11 SOS children's villages in Austria. "Our cooperation with SOS children's village certainly isn't over with the opening of the new house. Currently, we are selling shopping bags designed by children in favour of SOS children's villages, a we prepare the next donation. Also for the Christmas season we have plans", says INTERSPAR Managing Director Markus Kaser.
UK: Schoolchildren Learn Rules of the Road
Pupils from enjoying the Road Safety Event hosted by A.F. & Blakemore Son Ltd in association with the West Midlands Fire Service
Ten primary schools from across Walsall and Wolverhampton learnt the rules of the road as part of A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd's annual Road Safety campaign.
Almost 550 primary school pupils participated in road safety workshops hosted by A.F. Blakemore's transport team and the West Midlands Fire Service.
Pupils aged between seven and eight years old received a vehicle demonstration from A.F. Blakemore's transport team in an attempt to educate school children on the dangers of playing around vehicles and some of the safety features designed to protect pedestrians.
As a special treat the West Midlands Fire and Police service visited each school to educate pupils about the green cross code and how they deal with road traffic accidents.
Following the event each pupil was provided with a goody bag packed with reflective items to help them stay safe when walking to and from school.
A.F. Blakemore's Driver Trainer, Pete James commented:
"This is the fourth year A.F. Blakemore has run this event and we are proud to say that around 1,550 pupils from across the Black Country have benefited from this event."
"We would like to say a big thank you to the West Midlands Fire Service who have supported us with our event this year."
A.F Blakemore Volunteering in the Community
Local Employees Support Community Gardens Employees from Blakemore Food Service created new picnic area laying gravel paths, constructing picnic benches and erecting a small fence around the perimeter
Staff Brighten up Stow Heath Day Centre
A.F.Blakemore employees are continually taking part in community projects, from painting, decorating community centres to renovating public gardens. These projects touch all areas of the community and make many lives brighter, just by taking a few days out of their normal working schedule. Here we recognise these recent projects undertaken in the UK.
Redecorating homeless accommodation
Almost 200 hours of employee time and 90 litres of paint has been donated to a Birmingham based homeless organisation to help spruce up the communal dining areas.
Employees from Blakemore Wholesale’s Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Great Bridge depots spent two days redecorating two large dining areas at the charity Trident Reach’s Washington Court homeless accommodation in Birmingham.
Trident Reach provide a specialist homeless service which aims to help people break the cycle of homelessness by achieving independence and safeguarding themselves from future risk. Washington Court offers temporary accommodation for 99 people as well as 24 hour support staff, practical & emotional support and tenancy/housing related after-care.
Fred Duncan from Trident Reach added, “Thank you for the support and goodwill shown towards my project and the organisation, the recent painting of our two dining rooms has added tremendous value to our customers and I look forward to future cooperation with you and your organisation.”
A.F Blakemore: Local Employees Support Community Gardens
Employee volunteers from A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd have lent a helping hand to put the finishing touches to a resident's community garden in Willenhall.
Five volunteers from A.F. Blakemore's Accounts and IT departments supported the St Giles Community Garden project by laying bark and plastic tubing around a giant willow ant structure which will be used as a children's play area.
The community garden, located on St Giles Road, Willenhall was created as an environmental area for the local residents to use. The garden features allotments and children's play area and is anticipated to officially open in August.
Diane Mansell, Regeneration Officer, Willenhall and Darlaston said:
"The project is a wonderful way to get the whole of the community involved. I would like to thank the staff from A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd who did an amazing job and really helped the project get one step closer for the opening in August."
A.F Blakemore: Picnic Area for Perryfields Primary
Pupils from Perryfields Primary School, Oldbury will be welcomed in September by a brand new picnic area created with the help from a Darlaston based food distributor.
Employees from Blakemore Food Service spent a week laying gravel paths, constructing picnic benches and erecting a small fence around the perimeter of the picnic area.
The area has been created in memory of Beryl Ball, a staff member at Perryfields Primary School who sadly passed away in 2010 after 53 years at the school. Beryl had worked at the school in various roles during her time at the school including dinner lady, caretaker, cleaner and reading volunteer. Mrs Ball's family and the PTA kindly donated funds for projects in school and some of this money has been used to purchase picnic tables, pots and plants.
Sean Batchelor, Blakemore Food Service said:
"Employees from across each area of our business have been involved in this project, it's a great opportunity for them to work with different departments.
"A big thank you to Carillion who supplied us with all the building materials we needed for the project to take place."
Heather Lawrence, Deputy Head Teacher said:
"Thanks to the hard work and generosity of Blakemore Food Service and Carillion, the pupils will have the opportunity to eat their sandwiches in lovely surroundings."
Mrs Elaine Davies, Teacher added:
"Beryl used her many talents for the benefits of pupils and staff at Perryfields Primary School. She is still greatly missed and fondly remembered."
A.F Blakemore: Staff Brighten up Stow Heath Day Centre
A team of employee volunteers from a Willenhall based food distribution company have picked up their paintbrushes and helped to brighten up a day centre for adults with disabilities.
19 volunteers from A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd's Human Resources department spent two days redecorating the main hall and reception area at Stow Heath Day Centre, Willenhall.
The main hall and reception area is the hub of the day centre and the first thing visitors and users come into contact with. The centre was in desperate need of a lick of paint to provide a happier, cleaner and more uplifting space for both users and visitors.
It is hoped that the combination of bright and innovative colours will transform this space, dramatically enhancing and creating moods.
Stow Heath Day Centre was established in 1969 and supports adults with learning difficulties or profound disabilities. The centre offers a wide range of services from physiotherapy to skill building sessions, which helps to increase independence & quality of life.
In addition to this the centres offers arts and crafts workshops where users make bird boxes, benches, patio slabs and grow plants which are sold to the public where by the profits are ploughed back into the centre.
Ann Telfer, Wolverhampton City Council Day Opportunities Lead Manager said:
"We were delighted that staff from A.F. Blakemore's HR team chose to support our service. They have really invested in the cause and we thank them for doing such a good job.
"They were brilliant- particularly because they were able to make all the improvements with minimal disruption to the day to day running of the service."
Lorna Harris, Training/Personnel Assistant and Kate Senter, Community Affairs Assistant led the project and added:
"The HR team did an incredible job to transform the day centre in just two days, making it a much brighter place. It is important for us to make a positive impact in the communities we serve and this has been an enjoyable experience for the whole team. I would also like to say a big thank you to Origin Media for donating T-shirts, Buffet Express for supplying refreshments and finally B&Q, Wednesbury who kindly offered discount on stock purchased for the project."
UK: NSPCC and SPAR UK Launch 'Recipe for ChildLine'
SPAR is at the heart of local communities and as a business, we strive to be there for our customers
NSPCC and SPAR have launched their ‘Recipe for ChildLine‘, a new initiative to get the people nationwide reminiscing, sharing and making their favourite childhood recipes, whilst raising money for the 24 hour helpline for children and young people.
For every recipe that is uploaded to the SPAR UK website www.spar.co.uk, SPAR will donate £4 to ChildLine, a service of the NSPCC. It costs the NSPCC £4 to answer a call to ChildLine, so every recipe uploaded will make sure there is someone there to answer a child's call.
Rebecca Whitmore SPAR UK Marketing Manager said: "SPAR is at the heart of local communities and as a business, we strive to be there for our customers. Last year ChildLine counsellors carried out 274,835 counselling interactions with children and young people about a wide range of concerns, including family relationship problems, bullying and physical abuse. Today we are asking our customers to help ChildLine be there for any child who needs support."
The NSPCC and SPAR have been working in partnership for five years and have already raised over £2.5 million to help protect children across the UK. Funds raised from 'Recipe for ChildLine'; will allow the helpline to answer many more calls and online messages from worried or upset children and young people.
The total sum raised by all 4,388 cyclists was over €20 million, an incredible boost to the research fund of the Cancer Foundation. Three SPAR delivery trucks travelled to the village to provide 140 different food and drink items including 2,500 eggs, 7,200 sports drinks, 18,000 oranges, 175 kilograms of yoghurt
Approximately 4,000 Dutch cycle fanatics tried to climb the Alpe d'Huez in France six times. This unique event, organised for the sixth time this year, generates huge sums of money for the Cancer Foundation (KWF). Together with a number of suppliers, SPAR sponsored the cycling event 'Alpe d'HuZes' namely by jointly supplying and delivering thousands of meals to the participants.
"It is truly incredible what will happen in this French village this week" said Sjaak Kranendonk, managing director of SPAR Netherlands. "It is simply going to be over-run with Dutch people who have come to claim 'their mountain'. In many instances, emotional and moving stories relating to the loss of loved ones to this terrible disease are the motivators of the sporting achievements of the cyclists. This gives a unique dimension to this event, which SPAR is proud and pleased to support."
SPAR has been supporting this initiative jointly with it suppliers for a number of years, by facilitating the evening meals for the participants. Each cyclist pays €10 for their meal which the organisers then pay to the Cancer Foundation. Three SPAR delivery trucks of grocery items travelled to the village to be able to provide these meals.
The total sum raised by all 4,388 cyclists was over €20 million, an incredible boost to the research fund of the Cancer Foundation. Three SPAR delivery trucks travelled to the village to provide 140 different food and drink items including 2,500 eggs, 7,200 sports drinks, 18,000 oranges, 175 kilograms of yoghurt, etc. This high volume of food was required to produce meals which were sold to the cyclists at a very reasonable price with all proceeds going to the Cancer Foundation. In addition and in recognition of the enormous number of spectators, sandwiches, burgers and snacks were also available. In one day, SPAR Netherlands raised €25,000 from their catering facility onsite.
Adding another dimension to the fund-raising aspect, SPAR Netherlands included the possibility for those at home to generate additional money for the Foundation. In the promotional leaflet for the same week, a number of items were included whereby €0.10 would be paid to the Cancer Foundation for each item purchased. Consumers who bought six or more of these promotional items were entered into a draw to win one of six cycling holidays to France, developed in partnership with cycle vacation specialist Cycletours.
Johan Looijschelder, owner of two SPAR supermarkets in Neijmegen and surrounding area, was one of the participants of this amazing event. He said afterwards: "This was the third year in a row that I have participated in this extraordinary event. "I really want to support the foundation in this way, because what is one day's hard cycling when compared to the years which people who are diagnosed with cancer have to face? I really find it fantastic that SPAR is so caring about this event and the Cancer Foundation," he said. In a further generous move to help raise more funds for the Cancer Foundation, SPAR Netherlands have opened up the possibility of donating money to the charity to those at home.
A promotional leaflet distributed during the week of the event told shoppers that 10 cents would go to the Cancer Foundation with various items purchased. Consumers who bought six or more of these promotional items were entered into a draw to win one of six cycling holidays to France, in partnership with cycle vacation specialist Cycletours.
NSPCC and SPAR UK Launch 'Recipe for ChildLine'
SPAR is at the heart of local communities and as a business, we strive to be there for our customers
NSPCC and SPAR have launched their 'Recipe for ChildLine', a new initiative to get the people nationwide reminiscing, sharing and making their favourite childhood recipes, whilst raising money for the 24 hour helpline for children and young people.
For every recipe that is uploaded to the SPAR UK website www.spar.co.uk, SPAR will donate £4 to ChildLine, a service of the NSPCC. It costs the NSPCC £4 to answer a call to ChildLine, so every recipe uploaded will make sure there is someone there to answer a child's call.
Rebecca Whitmore SPAR UK Marketing Manager said: "SPAR is at the heart of local communities and as a business, we strive to be there for our customers. Last year ChildLine counsellors carried out 274,835 counselling interactions with children and young people about a wide range of concerns, including family relationship problems, bullying and physical abuse. Today we are asking our customers to help ChildLine be there for any child who needs support."
The NSPCC and SPAR have been working in partnership for five years and have already raised over £2.5 million to help protect children across the UK. Funds raised from 'Recipe for ChildLine' will allow the helpline to answer many more calls and online messages from worried or upset children and young people.
Tates in the UK Hit the Magic Million Mark for NSPCC
Staff are very proud to be part of an organisation that puts social responsibility high on the agenda and they've put a tremendous amount of effort into helping us reach the magic million mark
Geoff Hallam, Managing Director of Tates
The NSPCC has thanked Tates Limited for raising £1 million for the charity by presenting them with a special plaque. Tates, which owns and operates over 200 SPAR stores in England and North Wales, hit the magic million mark last month following a range of fundraising activities over four years. Nearly £40,000 was raised in Worcestershire.
Svetlana Kirov, Head of Corporate Partnerships for the NSPCC, presented Tates Managing Director Geoff Hallam with the plaque at the Tenbury Wells store in Worcester. Store manager, Dave Powell, presented Kirov with a cheque as the store raised the largest amount of money for the NSPCC, bringing in £20,114 over four years including £7,527 last year alone. The store raised money through a range of activities including a sponsored walk, a fun day, bucket collections and fancy dress days where the staff dressed in school uniform.
Svetlana Kirov said: "The NSPCC's partnership with Tates has been a tremendous success. With a challenging economic backdrop it's a testament to the dedication and hard work of store staff and customers that so much money has been raised over four years. The Tenbury Wells store has done particularly well and all of the staff should be very proud of their efforts as the money will go towards the NSPCC's work with vulnerable children."
Geoff Hallam, Managing Director of Tates, said: "It's fantastic that we have raised £1 million for the NSPCC as the work it does really helps to change many children's lives for the better. Staff are very proud to be part of an organisation that puts social responsibility high on the agenda and they've put a tremendous amount of effort into helping us reach the magic million mark."
Tates fundraising partnership with the NSPCC is continuing for another year.
INTERSPAR and 'DieHandySammler' Support 'Cotton Wool Babies' in Austria
We are delighted with this great campaign introduced by the organisation 'DieHandySammler' in cooperation with INTERSPAR. In this way, every Austrian has the chance to make a valuable contribution by donating his old mobile phone and support the 'cotton wool babies
Dr. Rainer Riedl, Chairman of DEBRA Austria
The campaign 'Bring us your old mobile phone and win!' began on 30th June 2011 in all 58 INTERSPAR hypermarkets in Austria. For every mobile phone collected, €2 will be donated to the 'cotton wool babies', children suffering from a severe skin disease.
In all 58 Hypermarkets in Austria, customers will find collection boxes to drop their old mobile phones into. There is also a subscriber card to complete, with consumers having the chance to win INTERSPAR vouchers. The good news: Every mobile phone is worth cash, as the 'cotton wool babies' receive a donation of €2 per phone!
DEBRA Austria thanks INTERSPAR and 'DieHandySammler'
"We are delighted with this great campaign introduced by the organisation 'DieHandySammler' in cooperation with INTERSPAR. In this way, every Austrian has the chance to make a valuable contribution by donating his old mobile phone and support the 'cotton wool babies', says Dr. Rainer Riedl, Chairman of DEBRA Austria. "Through this initiative we can maintain a special hospital in Salzburg for children suffering from Epidermolysis bullosa, an inherited skin disease causing blisters in the skin. Furthermore, we can finance research projects for treatment. The donations help severely affected families to make life with Epidermolysis bullosa a bit more bearable. Time and again Austrian companies find innovative initiatives to help the 'cotton wool babies'. This gives us hope to continue the difficult path of treatment. I would like to thank SPAR in the name of the 'cotton wool babies' and their families for this great initiative!"
'Cotton wool babies' and Epidermolysis bullosa (EB)
With the term 'cotton wool babies' DEBRA Austria refers to the youngest people affected with the serious, innate and currently still untreatable skin disease called Epidermolysis bullosa, EB in short. Epidermolysis bullosa means a separation of the layers of the outer skin and blistering. That sounds dramatic and it is, as the 'cotton wool babies' have a skin that is said to be as fragile as a butterfly's wings. In Austria around 500 people are affected by EB, in Europe a total of 30,000. Nevertheless EB is a rare disease. Therefore, donations are needed for all activities supporting the 'cotton wool babies'.
INTERSPAR has been a partner of DEBRA Austria since 2007 and is a partner of DEBRA Austria and supports the 'cotton wool babies' with the sale of butterfly bread. The brioche in the shape of a butterfly has been sold since 2007 from October to December exclusively at INTERSPAR bakeries. The sales proceeds go to the 'cotton wool babies' and in the last four years €132,000 was donated to DEBRA Austria. Again in 2011 the butterfly bread will be available at INTERSPAR stores.
School Children Show Off Their Football Footwork to A.F Blakemore Staff
The pupils had a great day and it was good to see such a big turn out from Black Country schools, many of which we support through study tours, reading volunteering and events such as Road Safety week
Blakemore Logistics' Lee Venables
Eighty school children from six Black Country schools put their best striking skills into action at the ninth annual A.F. Blakemore Junior Football Competition.
Pupils from Bantock, Busil Jones, Castle, Fibbersley Park, Harden and Hillary Primary Schools fought it out on the football pitches at Goals soccer centre for the coveted Blakemore's cup.
Employees from A.F Blakemore & Son Ltd's Blakemore's logistics division organised the event which included refereeing the matches, keeping score and were on hand to provide refreshments and snacks throughout the day.
Pupils from Harden primary School battled it out in the final match against Bantock A, with Harden Primary stealing a 5-1 victory. Blakemore Logistics' Lee Venables commented: "The pupils had a great day and it was good to see such a big turn out from Black Country schools, many of which we support through study tours, reading volunteering and events such as Road Safety week."
Double Big Tick Success for A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd
There is a growing requirement to do more with less, which requires an innovative, creative approach to tackling society's biggest challenges, powerful collaboration and effective leadership
Regional Director for Business in the Community, David Darlaston
A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd picked up two prestigious corporate responsibility accolades at the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner 2011 on Tuesday.
The event, which took place at Birmingham Town Hall, saw the company's cross- divisional educational programme receive a Big Tick in the Nationwide Education category while Heart Distribution's support for regional food producers has collected a Big Tick in the Anglo American Supply Chain category.
A Business in the Community Big Tick Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious corporate responsibility awards in the UK and recognise inspirational programmes that are making a positive impact in the community, the environment or wider society.
The Education Big Tick has been awarded in recognition of the wide array of support that employees from all divisions of A.F. Blakemore give to educational causes across the country.
Since 2005, colleagues have volunteered around 4,820 hours in support of programmes such as practical team based challenges, literacy programmes, employability training and school study tours.
Overall more than five per cent of the company's total workforce has been engaged in support of 53 schools across 191 separate projects. In addition the company has donated a total of £136,643 to schools programmes across the country via the Blakemore Foundation, divisional contributions or through supplier support.
The Supply Chain Award has been awarded in recognition of Heart Distribution's support for small, regional producers in partnership with Heart of England Fine Foods.
The Heart operation has proven to reduce food miles and provides a consolidation, invoicing and delivery service for both producers and retailers across the Midlands.
A.F. Blakemore Corporate Affairs Manager, Paul Cowley said: "These two awards recognise the great work colleagues across A.F. Blakemore have put in towards building a profitable and sustainable business for the future.
"Our employee engagement programme with schools across our trading area, along with the work that our Heart operation does to support small, regional producers across the Midlands is testament to our commitment to local communities. Congratulations must go to everybody who has participated in these two programmes and demonstrated that their work is truly an example of excellence."
Regional Director for Business in the Community, David Darlaston said: "The awards exist to highlight best practice at companies who have had a positive impact on the environment, their employees, through their supply chains and in the local communities they operate.
"There is a growing requirement to do more with less, which requires an innovative, creative approach to tackling society's biggest challenges, powerful collaboration and effective leadership. There is so much talent in West Midlands' companies and it is great to see it being channelled into providing long-lasting benefits to the communities they operate in."
A.F Blakemore Employees take on Three Peaks to raise £1,900
We began the challenge at 3pm on Saturday afternoon and finished 23 ½ hours later. It was tough as we had to struggle with heavy rain and wind, however we would all do it again
Neill Freeman, Blakemore Food Service
Four employees from a Darlaston based food distributor have successfully completed the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Nurses.
Neill Freeman, Steve Rhodes and Richard Williams all from Blakemore Food Service completed the gruelling trek up Ben Nevis, Scotland, Scalfell Pike, England and Mount Snowdon, Wales on Saturday (18 June).
The challenge requires walkers to scale the three mountains over a continuous 24 hour period. The walk covers an area of 25 miles walking, a height of 10,000 feet and a car journey between mountains of 450 miles.
Neill Freeman, Blakemore Food Service commented:
"We chose the Three Peaks Challenge as we wanted to do something a little different for our nominated charity of the year, Macmillan Cancer Nurses."
"We began the challenge at 3pm on Saturday afternoon and finished 23 ½ hours later. It was tough as we had to struggle with heavy rain and wind, however we would all do it again."
"We are over the moon to have raised £1,900 for the charity especially as our target was £1,000."
Kidz Eco-Schools Programme in Zimbabwe
The programme is expected to foster the development of children's potential by exposing them to new situations. Each time children stretch their capacity to handle the world, improve their self-image, confidence and autonomy
On the 5th of June 2011, to commemorate World Environment Day SPAR launched their SPAR Kidz Eco Schools programme in association with the local Zimbabwean conservancy, The Mukuvisi Woodlands.
What SPAR Kidz Eco-Schools is About?
The Eco-Schools Project (ESP) is an environmental education Programme developed by the Mukuvisi Woodlands Education Unit for the schools environmental clubs. This Programme is an adaptation of the Eco-Schools Programme being practiced by more than 48 countries across the world including South Africa. This is a schools development programme designed to encourage whole-school learning and action for a healthy environment.
The SPAR Kidz Eco-Schools programme is about improving environmental management at the school as well environmental learning. The schools environmental clubs get an opportunity to choose a project of their choice on themes such as Water, Waste Management, Nature and Biodiversity, Resource Use, Healthy Living, Local and Global Issues. At the same time, teachers draw on these practical projects to strengthen environmental learning at the school. The programme offers school children a hands-on experience, a chance to tackle their environment, develop knowledge and inculcate positive attitudes to environmental issues.
The programme is expected to foster the development of children's potential by exposing them to new situations. Each time children stretch their capacity to handle the world, improve their self-image, confidence and autonomy.
The SPAR Kidz Eco-Schools programme has the potential to inspire children's interest and appreciation of the environment.
SPAR has produced the learning support material required to kick-start the Eco-Schools programme in 180 schools around Zimbabwe. This includes educational posters, Enviro Facts booklets, Special Days calendars, Biodiversity charts and fieldwork kits.
11,000 Adults and Children take part in the SPAR Great Ireland Run
We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the Great Ireland Run... We see our involvement with the Great Ireland Run as an embodiment of what SPAR stands for in relation to supporting community initiatives
Willie O' Byrne, Managing Director of SPAR Ireland
The Phoenix Park in Dublin played host to the SPAR Great Ireland Run and SPAR Junior Great Ireland Run 2011 when 11,000 adults and children took to the roads for Ireland's largest mixed 10k Run preceded by Ireland's largest children's Run. Just over 10,000 people signed up for the adult event; and the largest number ever, over 1,000 children, entered the Junior Run.
Among the celebrities taking part were Ireland and Leinster rugby great, Shane Byrne, broadcaster Ray D'Arcy, RTE sports reporter Evanne Ni Chuilinn, Dragon's Den star Sean Gallagher, TV3 broadcaster and stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick and former model Gillian Quinn.
Ireland's most successful female athlete, Sonia O'Sullivan will also be present to start the Junior Run alongside 1956 Olympic gold medallist Ronnie Delany.
The elite female field will be led by former world 10,000 metre champion and world record holder Berhane Adere from Ethiopia. Adere will be challenged by Ireland's three outstanding distance running stars: Mary Cullen from Sligo, Fionnuala Britton from Wicklow and Ava Hutchinson from Dublin. Also in a star-studded women's field will be Delores Checa of Spain, rising British name Charlotte Purdue and Aniko Kalovics of Hungary, twice third in this event. Defending champion, Freya Murray of Britain is a late withdrawal due to injury.
The men's field will be led by defending champion Martin Fagan from Mullingar Harriers who will face a stiff test from, among others, European Cross Country Champion, Sergiy Lebid of Ukraine, 2009 Run champion Rui Silva of Portugal, Andrew Carlson from the USA, fourth in the 2009 Run and Spaniards Jesus Espana, the 2010 European 5,000 metre silver medallist and Juan Carlos de la Ossa, three times European cross country runner-up.
National cross-country champion Joe Sweeney from Dublin will also challenge strongly alongside most of Ireland's top distance runners. The Run incorporate the Irish 10k road championships under the auspices of Athletics Ireland. To incentivise elite Irish athletes and raise the standard of 10k running in the country, a cash prize fund is in place for the first ten Irish men and women.
The Run is preceded by the SPAR Junior Great Ireland Run for participants between the ages of 8 and 15 over a distance of 2.5 km. This event has also grown substantially and will have its largest ever field this year with over 1,000 young people taking part.
Willie O' Byrne, Managing Director of SPAR Ireland (part of BWG Foods) said: "We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the Great Ireland Run. SPAR has been a supporter of athletics on both a local and international level since 1996. We see our involvement with the Great Ireland Run as an embodiment of what SPAR stands for in relation to supporting community initiatives. In communities right across the country people have taken to the streets to join in both leisure and competitive running. It is a fantastic 'recession buster' and a great way for us all to stay physically and mentally fit to take on the challenges of the new Ireland of today. I would like to wish all participants in Sunday's SPAR Great Ireland Run an enjoyable and fun experience."
2011 is the ninth running of the event in Dublin which has grown rapidly in popularity since the first Run in 2003. RTE Two television will broadcast the Run live in a special programme.
The SPAR Great Ireland Run is the only event in the country recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics, with an IAAF Road Race Label in recognition of the event's high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile.
Nearly 1,000 entrants in the Run are from the UK and their participation will be a significant boost to tourism in Dublin as they travel to the city for the weekend with family and friends.
Record numbers of participants are running for good causes including the SPAR charity of the year, The 3Ts - Turn the Tide of Suicide, providers of 1800 247 100, the 24 hour suicide prevention helpline. The Run's other nominated charities are The Marie Keating Foundation and Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services. The Jack & Jill Foundation is the nominated charity for the Junior Run.
As part of its National Endurance Development Programme, Athletics Ireland in conjunction with the SPAR Great Ireland Run, will host a questions and answers forum for Athletics Ireland athletes and coaches in the Crown Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin on Saturday April 9th at 3pm with Sergiy Lebid, Berhane Adere, Martin Fagan, Mary Cullen, Rui Silva and Fionnuala Britton. Participants must register in advance with Athletics Ireland.
Get Set for Summer with School Sports Day Kits from SPAR UK
The sports day kits provide fantastic branding and association, and provide a great way for our retailers to get involved with local schools
SPAR UK marketing manager, Rebecca Whitmore
SPAR UK is on its marks and set for summer with the launch of free schools sports day kits for children.
As part of the symbol group's ongoing UK Athletics sponsorship, SPAR is giving its retailers across the UK branded sports day kits for its stores to use locally as they choose.
The 2,500 kits each contain two posters, four sets of 36 bibs, finishing tape, stickers for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place competitors, and a CD with artwork including certificates.
SPAR UK marketing manager Rebecca Whitmore said the kits had been extremely popular with schools when they were last distributed in 2007.
"The sports day kits provide fantastic branding and association, and provide a great way for our retailers to get involved with local schools," she said.
"In the past, SPAR has provided more than 6,000 of these kits to local schools, which worked well at creating a more personal feel for local retailers in their communities.
"The activity also highlights SPAR's ongoing support of sport and a healthy lifestyle," added Ms Whitmore.
The kits will be rolled out to retailers by SPAR's regional distribution centres in May.
SPAR has been a Principal Partner of European Athletics since 1996 and an Official Sponsor of UK Athletics since 2004. The food retail chain will continue its support of UK Athletics until at least 2013.
SPAR UK Helps Pupils to Get Growing
School children from East Park Primary School, Wolverhampton have had their outdoor nature and allotment area restored to its former glory thanks to employees from a Willenhall based food distributor.
Eight employees from A.F. Blakemore's SPAR Marketing team worked hard to clear overgrown bushes, weeds and litter from the nature area so that it can be fully utilised by the school again.
The large area to the side of the school features a nature trail, willow archway, vegetable beds and nature area, which all needed TLC.
It is anticipated that the schools gardening club, made up of teachers and pupils, will maintain the area and grow vegetables in the small allotment area.
Jayne Spilsbury, SPAR Marketing Assistant commented:
"We are all delighted to be involved in helping the school restore this area. The school
Intends to use this area to teach the children about their environment and this will be a great interaction resource for them.
"I'd like to thank Travis Perkins, Willenhall who kindly donated tools and equipment free of charge."
Volunteers from A.F. Blakemore's accounts team will return to the school to complete the project.
Don Climbs Kilimanjaro for the Children of Zimbabwe
Don Railton is a 61 year old Zimbabwean with a passion for the outdoors, and also SPAR Zimbabwe's Retail Developer Executive for more than a decade. His two sons James (almost 30) and Michael (25) have accompanied their father on many outdoor expeditions with James having scaled the Inyangani Mountain at just 7 years old with his father.
Michael came up with the idea of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with his father and brother and soon roped in a cousin - Jono Pare. As they discussed preliminaries for such a challenge, Don also got wind of the dire predicament Childline is facing at present - the level of awareness of Childline's service in children is at an all time high but resources to meet the surge in phone calls and facilitate interventions have dwindled to desperate levels. The decision for a family reunion and outing suddenly assumed a bigger meaning when Don decided to use the climb as a fundraiser for Childline.
SPAR has been Childline Zimbabwe's consistent corporate sponsor since the organisation's inception in 1998. Other supporting organisations have however withdrawn funding leaving this critical service provider on its knees. Don's climb has resulted in over $1000 in cash being donated and a spin off effect of over $20 000 in pledges at present. The children of Zimbabwe need your contributions to Childline, make a donation today, or better still commit monthly for yourself and your organisation and put a smile back on an abused child's face.
'A house for children' - SPAR Austria donates €400,000
I would like to thank our long-time partner INTERSPAR. With the project 'A house for children', INTERSPAR demonstrates the continuity of our partnership and the support of needy children
Managing Director of SOS children village Markus Moser
A cheque of €400,000 was handed over to the Managing Director of SOS children's villages on the 24th of January 2011 in Seekirchen by INTERSPAR Managing Directors Fritz Seher and Markus Kaser. The money comes from the campaign 'A house for children' introduced by INTERSPAR on the occasion of their 40th anniversary in 2010. Since the introduction of the campaign in March 2010, INTERSPAR customers were able to support the project by purchasing selected 'A house for children' products. The success of the campaign exceeded all expectations. With the net profit of €400,000 a new house for the crisis centre 'Simba' will be built in the SOS children's village Altmünster.
INTERSPAR customers were able to support the largest fundraising campaign in the 40 years since the foundation of INTERSPAR by purchasing special products such as the INTERSPAR birthday cake or the 'A house for children' shopping bags. "The result was stunning: approximately €400,000 was collected for the crisis centre 'Simba', said INTERSPAR Managing Directors Fritz Seher and Markus Kaser excitedly when handing over the cheque. "On this occasion we would like to thank all our customers for their great support."
For children in turbulent times
The house will be ready in the summer of 2011 and offers crisis care for 13 children. The house with a floor area of 671m2 has in addition to bedrooms for the children several rooms to play in as well as therapy rooms. All rooms will be adapted to the special needs of the children, who come from difficult family relationships. "In family-like groups, social education workers care 24/7 for the children of between 3 and 13 years old. At the request of the youth welfare service, the boys and girls come to the Simba house are they are temporarily unable to live in their own family. We tend to keep the children here for as short a time as necessary," explains Managing Director of SOS children village Markus Moser. He adds: "I would like to thank our long-time partner INTERSPAR. With the project 'A house for children', INTERSPAR demonstrates the continuity of our partnership and the support of needy children."
Successful partnership for many years
Since 2004, INTERSPAR has been the partner of SOS children's villages in Austria and actively supported the villages. The largest campaign ever was introduced last year. The campaign 'A house for children' is unique in the history of this partnership resulting in an entire house being financed with the help of donations from INTERSPAR for the first time.
India Walks to Beat Diabetes Together
SPAR India has contributed 6000 apples for the event as part of the refreshment pack for the walkers and all the employees of the company are encouraged to participate in the walkathon which will be an annual event
SPAR India has contributed 6000 apples for the Beat Diabetes walkathon event as part of the refreshment pack for the walkers and all the employees of the company are encouraged to participate in the walkathon which will be an annual event.
The Landmark Group India has launched 'Beat Diabetes' - a first of its kind CSR initiative - aimed at spreading awareness about Diabetes in the country.
Partnering the cause are companies ING Insurance (insurance Partner), Johnson & Johnson (healthcare partner), Britannia (nutrition partner), Himalaya (water partner), Fitness One (fitness partner), Apollo Hospitals (medical partner), Times of India (media partner) along with Landmark Group companies Max, SPAR Hypermarkets and supermarkets and Gloria Jean's Coffees.
The Landmark Group first launched the Beat Diabetes initiative in 2009 in the UAE, citing the wide prevalence of this condition, across the Middle East and Indian sub-continent region. This year the campaign will transcend boarders as it spans across to five new countries - Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and India (Bengaluru), in addition to the UAE. In 2011, the campaign will also move to other countries where Landmark Group has a presence.
As a first step in a series of initiatives to drive awareness about Diabetes, the Group will be organizing a 5 km walkathon in Bengaluru on Sunday, November 21, 2010. The walk will start and culminate at the Kanteerva Stadium while passing through the lush greens of Cubbon Park. A good number of business leaders, prominent personalities from Bengaluru and Sandalwood stars are expected to take part in the walkathon. Additionally, free blood glucose screening tests will be conducted across 11 Landmark Group stores and 3 Fitness One outlets in the city during November 11 - 14, 2010.
With Beat Diabetes, the group aims to usher in a positive change in people's mindset about diabetes by drawing maximum participation and thus contributing to the mission of raising greater awareness about the condition. SPAR India has contributed 6000 apples for the event as part of the refreshment pack for the walkers and all the employees of the company are encouraged to participate in the walkathon which will be an annual event.
First Ever Climate Change Conference for South Africa
The conference provided a key opportunity for the 110+ kids together with their chaperones from 13 countries and all nine provinces of South Africa
From 7th-10th August 2009, children between the ages of 10 -14 years from all over Africa came to Durban, South Africa, for the 2009 TUNZA African Children's Conference on the Environment. There they learnt more about climate change and what they can do to reduce their contributions to global warming.
The South African delegates were selected from primary schools which undertook climate change related projects during 2008-2009. African delegates were selected from UNEP's environmentally-active primary school's database.
This was the largest African Children's gathering on climate change before the International Youth Conference in Korea in late August 2009, and the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. The Durban conference developed a climate change lesson plan for primary schools in Africa and provided valuable input to the upcoming Korean Conference.
The conference provided a key opportunity for the 110+ kids together with their chaperones from 13 countries (some of which included Algeria, Burund, Cameroon, Egypt. Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda) and all nine provinces of South Africa to:
1. respond and take action to the challenges presented by Climate Change;
2. develop an African network of children on environmental and Climate Change issues;
3. forward African children's concerns and perspectives to the governmental negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Some of the experiences for the children included visiting the eThekwini Mayor, Obed Mlaba at Durban City Hall, the IMAX movie, 'Under the Sea', an after dark experience at uShaka Marine World, as well as a dolphin show, visits to the Umgeni River Bird Park, MTN Science Centre, Natal Sharks Board, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, and a harbour cruise.
The conference was divided into three themes: Climate Change and Waste; Climate Change and Biodiversity; and Climate Change and Energy. Presentations were made by environmental educators on each of these themes and presentations were made by six schools that have completed projects related to those themes.
Tree Donation Part of Annual Planting Scheme in Zimbabwe
The approach of SPAR Zimbabwe is to work in smart partnership with environmental experts, Tree Africa and communities such as schools or whole villages. SPAR provides the funding, Tree Africa the expertise and the community or school nurtures and cares for the trees in a sustainable manner.
SPAR Zimbabwe has continued its commitment to the local community and the environment through its tree planting programme, which they run in partnership with Tree Africa. Tree planting has been part of SPAR's green agenda for several years and they have now planted several thousand trees nationwide. The current initiative focuses on planting within school grounds where young children are taught the benefits of trees, both to the environment and as a source of food and medicine.
The approach of SPAR Zimbabwe is to work in smart partnership with environmental experts, Tree Africa and communities such as schools or whole villages. SPAR provides the funding, Tree Africa the expertise and the community or school nurtures and cares for the trees in a sustainable manner.
Courtney Selous School in Harare received 25 fruit trees, 10 acacias and 15 moringa trees. The moringa is well known for its natural, cost-effective medicinal qualities. The children are taught how to plant trees and will have the chance to see their trees grow and develop as they care for them. Courtney Selous pupils got into the spirit of Christmas with their Santa hats as they helped put their new trees into the ground.
SPAR and Tree Africa's planting programme will continue in Kadoma shortly with further schools identified to participate.
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