Record winners at GroceryAid Awards

GroceryAid today announced its Awards, reporting a spike in supporter activity over the last year.

With over 60 more award winners than last year, including five additional Gold winners, GroceryAid has seen an increase in the level of colleague support across all areas of the industry. There was a 20 per cent increase in overall growth of awards winners, compared to 2021, the charity added.

A total of 95 organisations secured a Gold Award (seven activities in three areas), 65 organisations bagged a Silver Award (five activities in two areas) and 95 organisations achieved a Bronze Award (three activities in two areas).

In addition, 112 organisations were acknowledged as Recognised Supporters for completing at least two activities.

GroceryAid Awards are an inclusive annual programme allowing organisations, both large and small, to demonstrate how they support GroceryAid, and in turn industry colleagues, in three different ways:

• Awareness – Raising awareness of the charity and how it can support colleagues
• Fundraising – Supporting events that raise funds for the welfare work GroceryAid does
• Volunteering – Donating time or expertise to benefit the charity

“With cost-of-living worries set to increase, we are expecting colleagues to turn to us more than ever before. It is so important to have the industry’s support and for us to celebrate and recognise the exceptional contribution of our trade,” Steve Barnes, GroceryAid chief executive, said.

The increase in demand for GroceryAid’s support was highlighted in the charity’s Impact Report that reported 28,204 instances of support last year, which represented a 61 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

Any colleague working in the grocery industry can access emotional, practical support, and financial advice, from the first day of their employment. Colleagues can call GroceryAid’s free and confidential Helpline (08088 021 122), which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. More than 200 languages are also supported through the Helpline, on request.