SPAR ambassador and Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington today launched a €60,000 SPAR 60^th Community Fund. For 60 years, SPAR retailers are proud to have served the communities in which they are rooted, and the new initiative will see SPAR invest €60,000 back into local communities to drive positive change and impact. Through the SPAR 60^th Community Fund, six local community clubs, groups or programmes will be rewarded with €10,000 each, along with the chance to meet Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington and take her on in a fun series of challenges.

This campaign builds on SPAR’s established Community Fund initiative which was launched in December 2021. This announcement will see Ireland’s leading convenience retailer direct investment reaching €80,000 into deserving community projects across the country, something that is indicative of SPAR’s ongoing commitment of giving back to local communities and their customers.

Local clubs who enter the SPAR 60^th Community Fund, not only have the chance of winning €10,000 but a club representative will also be invited to a meet and greet session with SPAR ambassador and Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington this summer, engaging in fun activities together and it is a chance for Kellie to learn about the successful clubs and the vital work they undertake in their local community.

SPAR and Kellie are inviting all community groups to apply for a chance to win. Applications opened on 27th March  and will close on 30^th April.

Launching the SPAR 60^th Community Fund, brand ambassador Kellie Harrington said: “The SPAR 60^th Community Fund is a massive boost to what is a project that I’m really passionate about. Community means as much to me as it does to SPAR and I am delighted to once again be involved in boosting funds to people, clubs and programmes across Ireland who are bringing that sense of community and pride to where they live. I am really looking forward to meeting the winning clubs this summer and would encourage everyone to enter, from dance clubs, to youth groups and retirement homes, the SPAR 60^th Community Fund is open to everyone and it’s a great way of giving back in a meaningful way and seeing vital community work both acknowledged and rewarded”.

Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director, commented on the announcement: “For 60 years, SPAR have been proud to serve local communities around the country. The SPAR 60^th Community Fund is just one of the many initiatives we are launching this year to celebrate our anniversary and it allows us to continue our ongoing work of rewarding and acknowledging the communities SPAR is embedded in. It is great to have our brand ambassador Kellie Harrington with us here today, who is consistently championing the importance of community in Ireland.”

SPAR announced a partnership with Kellie in November of 2021, supporting her journey to Paris 2024.

To find out more about the SPAR 60^th Community Fund  and other SPAR initiatives taking place this year marking SPAR’s 60 years in Ireland, visit www.spar.ie and keep an eye on SPAR’s social media channels.

• @SPARIreland on Facebook
• @SPAR_Ireland on Instagram
• @SPARIreland on Twitter

The post SPAR Celebrates 60th Anniversary in Ireland – launches €60,000 Community Fund with Brand Ambassador Kellie Harrington appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Spar has partnered with Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Captain, Katie McCabe, to create a video tribute to Katie’s hometown for St Patrick’s Day.

Set in Kilnamanagh, in Tallaght, Dublin 24, the social media video is a celebration of Katie’s family, neighbours, local clubs and the many people in her community that make it a place she loves and returns to as often as possible from her current home in London.

The Irish captain recounts what community means to her and speaks fondly of the smiling faces that greet her on each visit home.

Commenting on the video to celebrate the National Feast Day and extraordinary double bank holiday, Colin Donnelly, Spar sales director said: ”Spar retailers are proud to serve the communities in which they are embedded, and Katie’s story speaks to communities across Ireland.

“People are what make each community personal and unique, and this specially commissioned video reflects the important role that Spar retailers play in their respective communities right across the country.”

The post Spar teams up with Ireland captain to celebrate St Patrick’s Day appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

The new three-year partnership will see SPAR support Kellie every step of the way on her journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics Games.

To celebrate this new partnership, SPAR and Kellie Harrington have launched the SPAR Christmas Community Fund, a new initiative that will see SPAR reward 10 local community mentors by giving them the opportunity to win €1,000 each for their local club or community group.

The company says SPAR retailers are proud to serve the communities in which they are embedded, and this initiative is indicative of their ongoing commitment to their customers.

Newly announced SPAR Brand Ambassador Kellie Harrington said: “I am delighted to be announced today as a new Brand Ambassador for SPAR and to be working with them on my journey to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“SPAR have a presence in every community around Ireland and the importance of community is something that I am very passionate about and really resonates with me. The SPAR Christmas Community Fund is a great initiative and I am pleased to be associated with it. I look forward to seeing the local hero nominations that will be entered and hearing each inspiring story.”

Commenting on the partnership, Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director, said: “On behalf of our SPAR Retailers, I am delighted to be here today launching our new partnership with Kellie Harrington. Kellie is one of Ireland’s most successful and inspiring athletes. The fantastic scenes of celebration in Kellie’s community this summer after her gold medal win at the 2020 Tokyo Games were special and Kellie truly embodies what community is all about.

“We are so pleased to have her here with us today, supporting the new SPAR Christmas Community Fund, which shines a light on and rewards local community heroes. We look forward to working with and supporting Kellie over the course of the next three years.”

To find out more about the SPAR Christmas Community Fund and nominate your local community mentor, visit www.spar.ie

Caption: Olympic Gold Medallist and SPAR Brand Ambassador Kellie Harrington joins Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director at St Mary’s Boxing Club, Tallaght, Co Dublin.

The post Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington becomes brand ambassador for SPAR appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

The JAM Card allows people with a learning difficulty, autism, hidden disability or communication barrier tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ discreetly and easily. Those with a communication barrier are often reluctant or unable to tell others about their condition. JAM Card allows this to happen in a simple, effective non-verbal manner.

SPAR and EUROSPAR introduced the programme of a trial basis in a number of its outlets, including Spar Citywest and Eurospar Skerries. A further rollout will continue in the coming weeks and months as staff trained up on the initiative. The card was originally developed for people with learning disabilities and difficulties, but can be used by anyone with a communication barrier, such as those who have suffered brain injuries and people who feel self-conscious about their ability to communicate.

“Just a Minute”

JAM Card is available as a plastic card, or as an App on your Smart phone, or both. BWG Foods is in the process of introducing detailed JAM Card training and tools to all Spar and Eurospar employees with the intention of making shopping in our stores a more pleasant and less stressful experience for anyone with autism, or communication challenges.

Colin Donnelly, Spar sales director said of the new initiative: “Our Spar retailers have a proud tradition of looking out for their customers and the communities they serve and this initiative is another hugely positive commitment to those communities. By becoming JAM Card friendly, our independent Retailers and their staff will be allowing those living with these challenges that they can shop with us secure in the knowledge that we will gladly give them that extra minute they may need,”

Extra care and patience

“This is a tremendous resource to people who may find shopping a little stressful and require a bit of extra care and patience,” added Malachy Hanberry, managing director, Eurospar.

“Eurospar retailers and their staff are enthusiastic about serving the needs of their customers and communities and we are delighted to introduce this initiative into our network of supermarkets,” Hanberry said.

Maeve Monaghan, chief executive of NOW Group whose participants developed the JAM Card initiative said: “As wider society prepares  to reopen it is the ideal time for organisations to consider how best to offer great service to those with communication barriers or hidden disabilities.  The JAM Card is a discreet and effective way for a customer to indicate they need just a moment of patience.  The practical staff training that Eurospar will roll out will ensure that shoppers with different needs will enjoy the same high-quality experience in their stores.”

To get a JAM Card, users can request one directly by visiting www.jamcard.org and filling out the request form or it is available to download as an app on Android and IOS.

Sign up for IFCR:

http://eepurl.com/deUbfv

The post “Just a Minute” – JAM Cards introduced by SPAR and EUROSPAR appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.