Sainsbury's raise a record £26,510 for Hospiscare

A RECORD £26,510 has been raised by an Exeter Sainsbury’s store for Hospiscare.

Fundraising efforts over two years included: tin collections, car boots, plant sales, a fashion show, floral sales, book and Christmas card recycling, a Christmas hamper, Easter egg competition and a sky dive.

John Arnold, Hospiscare’s corporate relations manager, said: “Our partnership with Sainsbury’s Alphington store has been very successful and has raised a truly amazing amount.”

Sainsbury’s Alphington Road store manager Tony Greg said: “Our colleagues have really enjoyed working with Hospiscare for the last two years and it’s certainly touched the hearts of many of them that before didn’t necessary have a direct link to them. We know what an important part they play in the community and we hope the year-long partnership has helped remind our customers of the valuable service they provide in Exeter. Thanks to the partnership, we’ll certainly now be looking into ways we can support them in the future”.

Staff have come up their own fundraising ideas and volunteered with Hospiscare, helping at its Marsh Barton enterprise centre sorting donations for its shops. Some of the £26,510 includes staff time and the value of flowers, books and other donated items. A Hospiscare volunteer collects Sainsbury’s out of date flowers and they are sold for donations at the Exeter hospice.

John said: “We were delighted to be selected by the store last summer for a second successive year which we believe is quite unusual. The charity has also benefitted from the increased awareness of its services that the partnership has created amongst the local community. I would like to thank Sainsbury’s staff and its customers for supporting Hospiscare so fully over the past two years.”

Sainsbury’s customer services manager Owen Ley, who regularly volunteers for Hospiscare, said:”Everybody has been on board fundraising for Hospiscare and as soon as one event finishes staff are asking what can they next. Hospiscare is local and it touches a lot of people. Everybody can relate to this charity.” He believes this is a record sum for local Sainsbury’s stores.