Staff at a Portadown store have spearheaded a fantastic fundraising drive in memory of a much-loved friend and colleague, resulting in an incredible boost of more than £27,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The team at Eurospar P&G on the Brownstown Road sadly lost their good friend and colleague, Tracey Belshaw in June this year.

In memory of Tracey, her P&G colleagues led a fundraising initiative which was supported by staff in other community stores – Spar Silverwood, Eurospar Lurgan and Eurospar Gilford.

The four Co Armagh stores combined their efforts to contribute more than £8,300 towards a 10-store fundraising initiative for the cancer charity.

Store managers from the 10-store fundraising initiative presenting the cheque to Joanne Young from Macmillan Cancer Support.

placeholder image — Store managers from the 10-store fundraising initiative presenting the cheque to Joanne Young from Macmillan Cancer Support.

In total, £14,164.73 was raised by all stores, with Henderson Group adding to it to bring the total donation to £27,164.

The team at Eurospar P&G took part in a variety of activities, including an instore spin-a-thon, weekly raffles and a barbecue for shoppers, with burgers donated by Trevor Lewis at The Butcher Shop and Deli and baps donated by West End Bakery. Hanover Football Club also took collection buckets to one of their matches to aid donations.

P&G also worked with Henderson Print to design and print a recipe book which was sold instore with proceeds going to the charity funds. As a result, Eurospar P&G raised £5,066 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Eurospar Lurgan hosted a community fun day and a raffle in exchange for donations, with great prizes for shoppers. The store’s initiatives raised £1,400.

At Eurospar Gilford, a raffle was held, giving shoppers the chance to win vouchers to be spent instore, raising £1,250.

Six team members from Spar Silverwood took part in an instore spinathon, raising £613.

The four Co Armagh stores were joined in fundraising by Vivoxtra Banbridge and Eurospar Moundview in Co Down and Co Tyrone stores Eurospar Donaghmore, Eurospar Ranfurly, Spar Quarry Lane and Spar Moygashel.

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Lynn Smiley, Eurospar P&G store manager, said Tracey’s passing had a huge impact on the whole team and they wanted to do as much as they could raise money in her memory for Macmillan Cancer Support, her chosen charity.

"In support of this, 10 stores came together to fundraise in memory of Tracey,” Lynn said.

"We appreciate the support from the other stores and all our shoppers, it means so much to us and they all helped us pay a great tribute to our dear friend, who is so missed by our team.”

George Rankin, Henderson Group retail director, added: “We’re so proud of all 10 teams who came together for such an amazing cause and in memory of Tracey.

"It’s great to see stores from different counties support each other with initiatives that are close to their hearts and put in so much time and effort into fundraising.  

"Being at the heart of their communities, fundraising for local charities and initiatives is central to each of our stores and it is so inspiring to see this developed further in support of other stores and to honour individuals from different communities.”

Joanne Young from Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We wish to extend a huge thank you to all 10 store teams for their incredible fundraising efforts. The money raised will go such a long way, helping us to provide much-needed support and care for people who are living with cancer and their families.”  