World of Sweets, leading wholesaler, distributor and importer of confectionery, has raised over £18,000 for charity through the sale of its charity candy cups.
World of Sweets launched a new range of Bonds of London Candy Cups, in partnership with The Honeypot Children’s Charity, with 10 pence from each sale donated to the charity.
Honeypot is a national young carers charity and supports children aged between five and 12 years through a wrap round service of respite breaks, educational breaks, Wellbeing Grants and Memory Making Days.
Each year, 4,700 disadvantaged children can enjoy breaks away from their caring responsibilities, helping to build brighter futures for the young carers and allowing the children to create happy memories they will cherish forever.
The money raised will help the charity provide essential respite breaks and ongoing support for young carers.
The Candy Cups were designed around fantastical themes, encouraging children to use their imaginations. Among them were the Bonds Teddy Bears’ Picnic Candy Cup, Bonds Pirate Adventure Candy Cup and Bonds Magical Forest Candy Cup.
“We were so excited to launch this range of Candy Cups in partnership with The Honeypot Children’s Charity,” Kathryn Hague from World of Sweets said. “We are thrilled to announce that World of Sweets has raised a total of £18,498.32 for the charity during our partnership.
“This incredible achievement has been made possible by our retail customers, who have really supported the launch and continued to repurchase the Candy Cups for their customers to enjoy and raise awareness of the amazing work Honeypot does.
“We are passionate about bringing joy into the lives of children and young people across the UK and are committed to continue supporting causes like Honeypot.
“We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to The Honeypot Children’s Charity for their incredible passion and collaboration throughout our partnership, it has been a privilege to work alongside such a committed team.”
Simmi Woodwal, chief executive of Honeypot, said: “All of us at Honeypot are immensely proud of the huge impact our partnership with World of Sweets has accomplished in the last few years. Just to put it into perspective, £18,498.32 is enough to fund 38 young carers on a respite break at one of our Honeypot Houses nestled in the countryside. This includes three days of food, activities, goodies and more.
"The beautifully designed charity candy cups have not only helped us to spread awareness of our cause to a wider audience, but have also engaged our young carers who loved the fun themes and tasty treats. Thank you to all at World of Sweets for your tireless fundraising and support of these amazing children. The impact you have made will last them a lifetime!”
Scottish independent retail chain PGNJ Group has reached a significant milestone in its ongoing support for Glasgow charities, with total donations now exceeding £20,000.
This incredible achievement reflects the dedication and generosity of PGNJ colleagues and customers across its 11 stores, with further locations in development for 2025.
Community lies at the heart of PGNJ Group’s ethos. Through its stores and Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) initiative, the retailer has raised over £8,000 last year alone.
Recent funds will directly support vital programs that ensure that every baby, child and young person treated at Scotland's largest children's hospital receives the extra special care they deserve.
The charity provides funding life-changing projects and services for the children and families treated at Scotland's largest children's hospital.
“The Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is incredibly close to the hearts of our staff and customers," said Jay Javid, Director of PGNJ Group. "I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together. Every penny raised in our stores through MADL and other efforts is helping to make a real difference to children and families who need it most. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.”
PGNJ Group has a proud history of giving back through MADL. Recent donations include £1,000 to James Aiton Primary School and contributions of £700 to Glasgow Cash for Kids. These acts of kindness highlight the collective commitment of PGNJ colleagues and customers to supporting their local communities.
Stores raise money through a variety of initiatives, from donation tins at checkouts to the sale of Co-op own brand products in store. This spirit of giving and connection drives the retailer’s success and deepens its bond with the communities it serves.
Kate Carroll, Head of Charity at Nisa, added: “I know how passionate Jay and his staff are about supporting their communities, so I’m delighted to see this generous donation to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. I’m sure the money will go to some fantastic initiatives to support young people treated at the hospital.”
By reaching this £20,000 milestone, PGNJ Group has not only demonstrated its dedication to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity but also reinforced its mission to put community first. As the group expands its presence in 2025, it remains steadfast in its commitment to making a difference locally and supporting causes that resonate with its staff and customers.
Nisa’s charity, Making a Difference Locally (MADL), has cemented its role as a cornerstone of community support across the UK in 2024, achieving incredible milestones and touching the lives of over 360,000 people.
Last year, MADL donated over £1 million, spread across 1,340 individual donations, to small charities and community groups nationwide. These contributions bolstered food pantries, enhanced opportunities for children, strengthened community bonds, and provided much-needed winter support.
Through these initiatives, MADL has made a tangible and lasting impact on countless lives, earning the charity the coveted Outstanding Achievement Award at the Retail Industry Awards. In addition to MADL’s direct contributions, Nisa colleagues rallied behind charitable causes, showcasing their dedication to making a difference.
Highlights include raising almost £3,000 for Barnardo’s, wrapping 260 presents for the KIXX Christmas appeal to bring festive cheer to local children, and supporting Scunthorpe Foodbank’s Christmas efforts by organising 170 gift hampers and donating pre-loved toys.
Heart of the Community Award funds were awarded to retailers championing critical causes such as food pantries, initiatives for brighter futures for children, and stronger, more resilient communities.
Notable achievements include raising £35,585 through 68 clothing banks, with items donated to Middle Eastern and Ukrainian communities in a partnership between a clothing bank supplier and Oxfam, and £28,673 from in-store collection tins.
Retailers across the country also celebrated significant MADL milestones. Dike & Sons and LA Foods raised an extraordinary £100,000, while The Proudfoot Group surpassed a £200,000 milestone, highlighting the collective impact of community-driven fundraising.
2024 also saw the launch of MADL’s inaugural “Pink Friday” day, a celebration of community spirit and philanthropy. This initiative contributed to MADL’s growing legacy, which has now raised over £18 million for communities since its inception.
Reflecting on these achievements, Kate Carroll, Head of Charity at Nisa, said: “Our incredible retailers and colleagues have shown unparalleled dedication and generosity this year. Their efforts have created meaningful change in communities across the UK, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together in 2024.
Here’s to an even brighter and more impactful 2025!”
Adding to last year’s accolades, MADL was also shortlisted in the Community Engagement Programme of the Year category at the 2024 People in Retail Awards.
From supporting local foodbanks to spearheading national initiatives, MADL has proven its unwavering dedication to strengthening UK communities. As the charity looks ahead to 2025, it continues to build on its remarkable achievements, ensuring no community is left behind.
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Bronagh Luke from SPAR NI (L), Rob Lyttle (C) and Chris Thompson, Tearfund’s director in Northern Ireland
Rob Lyttle, the former Ulster Rugby player, has answered the call from the charity Tearfund to back the final weeks of their Break the Cycle of Poverty campaign, in partnership with SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA stores in Northern Ireland.
The appeal, which has been running since November, aims to raise £350,000 through shopper donations, which will be matched by the retailers, meaning £700,000 could go towards people living in extreme poverty around the world.
Lyttle, 27, who played for Ulster Rugby and now coaches and plays for Banbridge Rugby Club, said: “I am passionate about seeing families thrive, both on my own doorstep and further afield, in places like Kenya. That’s why I’m delighted to get behind Tearfund’s latest appeal, to help more families around the world break the cycle of extreme poverty and thrive – for good.”
Rob had the chance to visit East Africa when he travelled to Uganda last year with ‘Charlene’s Project’, a charity set up by his late sister-in-law. The charity has now funded several primary and secondary schools in Uganda.
“I’d go back in a heartbeat”, said Lyttle, and he hopes to return with his family one day.
“Having visited Uganda last year, I know first-hand the need that some communities around the world are facing. I’m really encouraged by how generous the Northern Irish public is in its support for this appeal, and would love to see even more donations come in as the appeal ends.”
Chris Thompson, Tearfund’s director in Northern Ireland says the appeal has had fantastic engagement since it launched.
“Tearfund exists to empower individuals to break the cycle and lift themselves out of extreme poverty. The money raised by this appeal will help people like Lokhu,” Thompson said.
“When the worst drought in 40 years hit Kenya, Lokhu could no longer afford to keep her children in school. Hunger quickly became a frightening reality for her family. And, as they live five miles from the closest borehole, without water they were not going to survive.
“Thanks to the kindness of our supporters, such as that of those who’ve donated to this year’s partnership appeal with SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO stores in Northern Ireland, Tearfund was able to quickly respond through our church partner to provide emergency support. Since then, together we have helped the community rebuild and introduced vital training so people would not be so severely impacted by climate change.”
Over the past 12 years, fundraising by shoppers in SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXTRA and ViVO Essentials stores in Northern Ireland, matched by the retailers, has positively impacted over half a million people living in extreme poverty around the world.
Bronagh Luke from SPAR NI said: “Matching every pound raised through the Break the Cycle of Poverty campaign means even more families experiencing poverty around the world can build their own resilience and break the cycle of food poverty once and for all.
“SPAR NI has a cohort visiting Rwanda this year, where we will meet families that our appeal has enabled them to rebuild their communities and provide for each other after devastating floods and droughts. Having Rob on board to tackle these final weeks and bring even more funds into this worthwhile appeal, while engaging with him on why Tearfund’s work is so important, has been fantastic and we’d like to say a big thank you to him and chef Jeffers for their time and efforts for this year’s appeal.”
Break the Cycle of Poverty campaign will run until 31 January 2025, with donation boxes in SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA stores throughout Northern Ireland. Shoppers can also donate online and find out more via tearfund.org/spar.
Scottish convenience chain Greens Retail has raised an incredible £5,000 in support of Fife Gingerbread’s Heat & Eat appeal through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity.
The funds contributed significantly to the charity exceeding its £20,000 fundraising target, enabling it to provide critical support to families across Fife facing hardship.
The Heat & Eat Appeal aims to ensure children and young people live in safe, warm, and healthy homes during the challenging winter months, especially as the rising cost of living places added pressure on many households.
Greens Retail embraced this vital cause with fundraising initiatives in six of its Fife stores, where purchases of Co-op branded products contributed directly to the MADL fund. The campaign also received a boost from MADL’s Winter Warmer Award, which added an additional £1,000 to the total.
To further rally community support, Greens Retail produced a heartwarming Christmas advert featuring Fife Gingerbread’s mascot, Gingey, alongside local children.
The video, which highlighted the appeal, was viewed over 15,000 times on social media, garnering widespread engagement and support from the community.
Linsey Proctor, PR and Fundraising Representative at Fife Gingerbread, said: “We are blown away by the generosity of Greens Retail and their customers.
"This donation will directly fund emergency warmth and meals for vulnerable families. Greens Retail has shown the true power of businesses making a difference in their communities.”
Caroline Cunningham, Area Manager for Greens Retail, shared: “Our stores are at the heart of their communities, and this campaign demonstrated how we can come together to support a cause that truly matters. The impact of this donation is incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud of our team and customers for their generosity.”
Alexandra Copeland, Group Operations Director at Glenshire Group, added: “This achievement reflects the shared commitment of Greens Retail and Nisa’s MADL charity to community engagement. The passion and dedication behind this campaign exemplify how we can create meaningful change together.”
Henderson Group, SPAR distributor in Northern Ireland, said it raised over £49,000 for Action Mental Health (AMH) last year, while bringing even more wellbeing services and awareness to its workforce.
The group, which employs over 5,000 people, announced its partnership with the local charity in 2022, and has since raised over £94,000, with every penny going towards the organisation’s vital work in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across Northern Ireland.
Since establishing the partnership, AMH has continued to respond to growing demand for mental health services across Northern Ireland through their range of mental health recovery and counselling services, alongside innovative new resilience building programmes for schools, community groups and workplaces.
“Support from our corporate partners like Henderson Group enable us to make a real difference to people’s lives who are seeking support for their mental wellbeing. This fantastic contribution allows us to provide even more vital support across the region, transforming lives and promoting positive wellbeing, particularly through our recently launched ‘I am Someone’ campaign,” Jane Robertson, fundraising and engagement coordinator at Action Mental Health, said.
“‘I am Someone’ seeks to remind us of the likelihood that we all know someone who has faced or will face mental health challenges in their lifetime. Behind the statistics, there is a person with an important story to tell.”
Bronagh Luke from Henderson Group added: “We were delighted to be part of the I am Someone launch and to hear directly from those who have been utilising the services and facilities available from Action Mental Health, which our donations contribute towards.
“Our entire workforce has access to support from Action Mental Health, including personal development programmes and activities to support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. We also implemented many activities throughout the year to give back to the charity, including a week-long series of events to mark World Mental Health Day in October.”
During the week, the business invited the charity’s Antrim Services clients, to sell their handmade festive gifts during a Christmas craft sale for staff.
Employees could also avail from a seated yoga webinar, free acupressure massage or reflexology appointments along with self-care webinars facilitated by Annette Kelly who is a personal development and performance coach. Action Mental Health delivered a Steps to Wellbeing webinar.
Bronagh continued: “We also gave a nod to Action Mental Health by wearing purple on World Mental Health Day (10th October), and held a raffle for a wellness hamper, while our Henderson Retail stores also marked the day getting involved in lots of fundraising activities, which raised over £11,000 alone.”
Henderson Group’s partnership with Action Mental Health will continue throughout 2025.