Over nine years, colleagues, customers and suppliers have helped Spar UK raise a total of £5m for Marie Curie, funding over 217,000 hours of vital end of life care.
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 the group’s fundraising is best illustrated through the people driving it. 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.
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 supplier for their support over the last nine 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.”
