SPAR UK has raised £1.5 million for Marie Curie, since becoming its national charity partner in 2017.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts from independently owned SPAR stores around the UK, 80,000 hours of nursing care or almost 9,000 nursing shifts has been granted through fundraising.

Tom Heron, senior partnership manager at Marie Curie, said: “Marie Curie would like to thank each and every one of SPAR’s staff for their dedication and support to help make a real difference to families living with terminal illness.

“Now more than ever, people need Marie Curie nurses to be there for them. Thanks to SPAR’s unbelievable support, Marie Curie has been able to have a nurse by someone’s side for 80,000 hours. It is a phenomenal achievement and we really cannot thank SPAR UK enough.”

Marie Curie has made an online video thanking SPAR for their efforts.

Key fundraising highlights in support of Marie Curie’s campaigns include the annual Great Daffodil Appeal, the Blooming Great Tea Party and product donations through in-store promotions.

SPAR staff over the years have got involved with events from CJ Lang’s annual Ben Nevis trek, to Appleby Westward’s Padstow-to-Rock swim.

In addition to raising vital funds, SPAR also responded to coronavirus pandemic and the logistical maze the charity was facing in distributing PPE to its nurses.

In the South West, Marie Curie Nurses are able to collect essential PPE from their local SPAR convenience store and continue caring for dying people and their loved ones during this unprecedented time.

Stock drives have also been run in a number of SPAR offices to keep clothes and other items flowing to Marie Curie charity shops.

Alex Hall, digital marketing manager at SPAR UK, said: “During the pandemic SPAR stores have supported NHS staff and vulnerable people in the community by donating personal care products and foodstuffs to banks and hospitals nationwide.

“In addition, we are very aware of the caring work Marie Curie nurses have been doing to support the NHS and the vulnerable during this challenging time.

“We are proud to support our national charity partner Marie Curie and will continue to do as much as we can to promote the amazing work their nurses do to help families living with terminal illness.”