Jackie is top fundraiser

Tesco employee Jackie Brogan was nominated as the Individual Fundraiser of the Year for her work with charity partner Diabetes UK in the Tesco Ballymoney outlet.

Jackie and store manager Geoff Purcell attended a black tie awards ceremony in London’s plush Grosvenor Square on Thursday.

Ballymoney won top store in Northern Ireland for money raised.

They also won the category for top superstore in the UK and they came third in the UK as a whole for money raised.

Jackie Brogan told the Ballymoney and Moyle Times: “I received a letter about three weeks ago telling me that I had been nominated but that was really all I heard as it was all kept hush-hush.

“Tesco organised the whole trip - flights, hotel, champagne, red carpet at the awards, it was fantastic.

“I was presented with my crystal award by Chris Bush, who is a director of Tesco, and Dominic Littlewood from the DIY television programmes, who was guest speaker.

“These awards are really, really great for Northern Ireland and for Ballymoney in particular.

“We are from a small store where there are 170 staff and yet we were up against stores with staff of 800 - 900.

“I really want to thank the Tesco Ballymoney customers because without them, this would never have been possible. It is all down to them, they are so generous.

“Ballymoney Tesco raised £19,243.12 in one year for Diabetes UK.

“As well as raising money, Tesco has raised awareness of the condition which is the biggest killer in the UK.”