AF Blakemore awards £38000 to community causes through SPAR Community Cashback

Oct 20

2 min read

SPAR is celebrating the fifth successful year of its Community Cashback campaign, awarding £96,000 to 23 local charities and community groups.

Five organisations across the Midlands, the South and Wales have received funding as SPAR invests in local communities.

AF Blakemore have awarded £38,000 to five charities and community organisations across their trading region via the 2026 SPAR Community Cashback programme, supporting projects that strengthen local communities across the Midlands, the South and Wales.

Delivered via SPAR's network of regional wholesalers, the Community Cashback initiative enables retailers and wholesalers to invest directly in charities and local causes that matter the most to the communities they serve. Thousands of applications were received from all over the UK this year, with A.F. Blakemore choosing five organisations to receive funding.

The largest grants of £10,000 were awarded to RNLI Margate and Penryn Rugby Club.

At RNLI Margate, the funding will support the rebuild of Margate's lifeboat station, helping provide modern facilities for volunteers and lifeguards while ensuring the RNLI can continue delivering its vital search and rescue service.

Meanwhile, Penryn Rugby Club will use its donation to undertake essential repairs to its historic clubhouse, which serves as a community hub for over 500 local people.

Further grants of £6,000 were awarded to The Pathway Project in Staffordshire, which supports survivors of domestic abuse; Children's Sailing Trust in Cornwall, which creates opportunities for young people, including those with SEND; and The Dragon Theatre in North Wales, which is helping establish dementia support services for local communities.

Claire Johnson at RNLI Margate said:

"This generous grant from SPAR Community Champions will allow us to keep saving lives by supporting the rebuild of our lifeboat station and lifeguard facility. With so many people visiting Margate and the surrounding beaches, the lifeboat station continues to have a critical role and is an invaluable asset to the town.”

Caoire Blakemore, Board Director.at A.F. Blakemore said

"As a family-owned business, supporting the communities served by our SPAR stores has always been part of who we are. Our retailers see first-hand the impact these organisations have locally and we're delighted that this funding can help them continue making a difference where it matters most."

This funding formed part of the wider SPAR Community Cashback initiative, which awarded £96,000 to 23 organisations from across the UK this year via SPAR's regional wholesale partners.

Community investment remains a key part of both AF Blakemore and SPAR's approach, helping retailers build stronger connections with the communities they serve while supporting organisations that deliver vital local services.

Comments

Commenting on this post isn't available anymore. Contact the site owner for more info.

The Inflexion Foundation commits £1275000 funding to four charities

The Inflexion Foundation has recently announced their new commitments of £1,275,000 to four charities: Action Tutoring, Power2, Chickenshed and Kazerne Reigersbos. Power2 is a new partner and the Inflexion Foundation is renewing its funding to the other three. The new commitments are: • Power2 (new charity partnership) – £325,000 over three years. Power2 provides one-to-one and group mentoring for children and young people, including its Teens and Toddlers programme, in wh

M&S celebrates 25 years of partnership with Breast Cancer Now

Since the charity partnership began in 2001, M&S colleagues and customers have helped raise more than £35 million During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, M&S marks 25 years with the UK’s leading breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now, its longest-standing charity partner Colleagues and customers have helped raise more than £35 million for life-saving science and life-changing support for people affected by breast cancer Partnership combines fundraising with M&

FM Conway named headline construction sector sponsor of The Big Goal

FM Conway has become a headline sector sponsor of The Big Goal, the Street Soccer Foundation's national funding drive helping to transform the lives of homeless and vulnerable young people through football. The Big Goal brings businesses together to create greater opportunities for young people facing significant disadvantage, helping them build confidence, develop skills and take positive steps towards employment, education and independent living. FM Conway continues its lon

Nex Playground announces new charity partnership with NSPCC

Nex Playground and the children’s charity will work together to encourage families to have meaningful screen time. Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together, has today announced a new charity partnership with the NSPCC. The charity partnership combines Nex Playground’s active, social approach to family gaming with the NSPCC’s expertise in keeping children safe to help parents and carers manage family screen time with greater confidence. The cha

Liverpool pubs raise £15000 for Spirit of Shankly after year-long fundraising effort

Seven Stonegate Pub Partners pubs across Liverpool have raised an incredible £15,000 for local charity Spirit of Shankly following a year of community fundraising events. The fundraising initiative, coordinated by Stonegate Pub Partners Regional Manager Matthew Croft, brought together publicans, guests, local businesses and supplier partners across the city, culminating in a final charity event at The Twelfth Man in Liverpool. What started as a conversation about supporting S

Gloucester Web Developer CREATIVO Launches Free Website Initiative for UK Charities

Gloucester Web Developer CREATIVO Launches Free Website Initiative for UK Charities and Community Interest Companies CREATIVO offers 100% free professional websites and permanent free hosting for registered UK charities and CICs. No hidden fees, just help for good causes to get found online. CREATIVO, a web development studio based in Gloucester, has announced the launch of a new initiative providing professional website development and permanent hosting services at no cost t

AF Blakemore awards £38000 to community causes through SPAR Community Cashback

SPAR is celebrating the fifth successful year of its Community Cashback campaign, awarding £96,000 to 23 local charities and community groups. Five organisations across the Midlands, the South and Wales have received funding as SPAR invests in local communities. AF Blakemore have awarded £38,000 to five charities and community organisations across their trading region via the 2026 SPAR Community Cashback programme, supporting projects that strengthen local communities across

Families of missing Brits abroad to benefit from new support as government partners with charity Missing People

UK government announces new charity partnership with Missing People The families of British people missing abroad are set to receive improved support, as a result of a new partnership between the UK Government and the charity Missing People. • UK government announces new partnership with charity Missing People to support those with a missing loved one in the UK and abroad. • Agreement will see Foreign Office directly refer consenting families to services provided by Missing P

Bentley Celebrates Community Volunteers at Annual Charity Recognition Event

Bentley Motors celebrates its second annual Charity Thank You event recognising the vital contribution of charities, partners and volunteers supporting communities across Crewe and the UK Sixty local charities invited to join Bentley Board and Charities Committee members, providing an opportunity to network and share best practice The event concludes with three unique recognition awards celebrating people, innovation and collaboration. Richard Street of Pure Insig

Hope Spring eCards Partners with SuS Pads on Christmas eCards Fundraiser

Collaboration brings experienced eCard designers to SuS Pads’ newly launched platform to support festive fundraising and raise awareness of clean water and menstrual hygiene. Hope Spring eCards is collaborating with SuS Pads’ newly launched eCards platform to create Christmas greetings that help raise funds for the two charities’ work. Under the partnership, Hope Spring eCards designers will use their experience in creating digital greeting cards to develop Christmas designs

McDONALD'S AND RONALD McDONALD HOUSE UK AND RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IRELAND CELEBRATE OVER £3 MILLION RAISED

The inaugural fundraising day took place in McDonald’s restaurants across the UK and Ireland on Saturday, 26th September, with £1/ €1 from every qualifying main meal* donated to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Ireland. The money raised will provide families access to approximately 43,000 nights of accommodation in the UK keeping families close to their seriously ill or injured children in hospital. McDonald’s customers, Franchisees and partners all

Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation Launch Multi-Year Partnership

Partnership aims to Empower One Million Girls and Young Women in India Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Estée Lauder Companies, have announced the launch of a multi-year partnership that aims to empower one million girls and young women across India. The program is designed for girls and young women from 14 to 20 years of age, across both rural and urban communities, with a focus on building life skills and

RED FUNNEL STARTS SEARCH FOR ITS 2027 CHARITY OF THE YEAR

Red Funnel is inviting charities across the Isle of Wight to apply for its 2027 Charity of the Year partnership, offering one successful organisation the opportunity to benefit from a year of fundraising, marketing and promotional support. Red Funnel has officially opened applications for its annual programme, which aims to support local charities making a positive difference to communities across the Isle of Wight. Through the charity partnership, Red Funnel hopes to help it

Reward Funding Raises £40,000 for Women’s Aid Following Year of Fundraising

Reward Funding has raised an impressive £40,000 for Women’s Aid, its charity partner for 2026, following a year of dedicated fundraising activities involving employees, business partners, clients and supporters across the UK. The fundraising achievement follows a year of activities organised across Reward’s five regional UK offices, with contributions also coming from its wider network of introducers and clients. The £40,000 raised will support the vital work of Women’s Aid i

Crisis Student Response Network Joins Greater Good Charities, Strengthening Youth-Driven Social Impact

Today, Greater Good Charities announces that UK-based nonprofit, Crisis Student Response Network (CSRN), will join the global organization. CSRN is led by global students and provides pro bono consulting, research, journalism, and implementation services to nonprofits during and after global crises. The joining of the two organizations expands Greater Good Charities' capacity to deliver aid globally while strengthening their engagement with young people working in social impa

Domestic abuse victims given discreet route to support as Nationwide provides Safe Spaces online

The Online Safe Space tool helps users access support discreetly, without leaving a trace on their device New service, which can be used by anyone, provides access to support, emergency contacts and resources Follows the launch of Safe Spaces in over 430 Nationwide and 40 Virgin Money branches across the UK Research shows more than a quarter (26%) of victims say they have experienced financial abuse More than a quarter (26%) of people affected by domestic abus

How Tickled Pink awareness campaign led to Asda colleague Donna's breast cancer diagnosis

Asda marks 30 years of Tickled Pink with 220-product campaign. Asda Tickled Pink is the partnership between Asda, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! and this year Asda are celebrating their 30th anniversary! That’s 30 years of reminding more people to check their boobs, pecs or chests. 30 years of helping more people find breast health information and support when they need it. And 30 years of raising money that powers world-class research, vital education and life-changing sup

UK government joins forces with Breast Cancer Now

The UK government has launched a three-year partnership with Breast Cancer Now to improve breast cancer awareness Women to receive better support through their breast cancer journey with a new partnership to help them recognise possible signs of the disease earlier and access trusted post-treatment information and support Action comes as new research from the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now, reveals almost a third of women who check their breasts

'Breast friends' from Asda Thornaby celebrate 30th anniversary of Tickled Pink

Self-styled "breast friends" Julie Kemp, Helen Middleton and Pauline Cox from Asda Thornaby are all using their own experiences to spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer – and in the process have raised tens of thousands of pounds for Asda Tickled Pink as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. 'Breast friends' Helen, Pauline and Julie from Asda Thornaby use their personal breast cancer experience to support Asda Tickled Pink The trio have all had breast canc

Scotmid raises a record £474,500 for Alzheimer's charity partnership

Scotmid Co-op is celebrating a landmark year after raising a total of £474,474 for its charity partnership with Alzheimers Scotland. Scotmid Co-op’s highest-ever total was raised with Alzheimer Scotland as Scotmid’s lead charity partner, whilst Alzheimer’s Society supported activity in England and Northern Ireland. For over 12 months, Scotmid Co-op’s colleagues, members and customers from across Scotmid, Lakes & Dales Co-op, Semichem, Scotmid Funerals and Fosters Funeral Dire

Morrisons launches huge toy sale to help customers spread the cost this Christmas

The incredible feat was achieved less than two years into Morrisons national charity partnership with Marie Curie, which launched in November 2024. Malton Morrisons is celebrating becoming the first Morrisons store in Britain to raise a staggering £50,000 for Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity. The incredible feat was achieved less than two years into Morrisons national charity partnership with Marie Curie, which launched in November 2024. As a 'thank you' to t

PAWFIT AND BATTERSEA JOIN FORCES TO HELP KEEP PETS SAFE AND SUPPORT ANIMALS IN NEED

Pawfit, a division of Latsen Technology, is proud to announce a new partnership with Battersea, the world-famous animal welfare charity dedicated to caring for dogs and cats at its centres across the UK and around the world. This collaboration brings together two organisations committed to the health, safety, and happiness of pets, providing greater opportunity to reach more pet lovers with valuable information and advice around responsible pet ownership and safety. According

Mills & Reeve Charitable Trust distributes £316,250 to charities

The Mills & Reeve Charitable Trust, the charitable arm of law firm Mills & Reeve, distributed £316,250 to more than 130 charities during the 2025/26 financial year. The funding supported organisations at local, national and international level, as the Trust continued its work to support charitable causes and communities beyond the firm’s legal work. The Trust has been central to Mills & Reeve’s charitable giving for more than 40 years. It is funded by contributions from the f

Pinewood Studios launches Community Fund to support local projects and organisations

Pinewood Studios has launched the Pinewood Community Fund, designed to support a wide range of local projects that make a meaningful difference in the community, with a particular focus on Iver and Fulmer in Buckinghamshire. Working with the Heart of Bucks Community Foundation, the fund will provide £250,000 over the next five years. Priorities for the fund include youth development, community initiatives, education, culture, environmental projects, wellbeing, and support f

Caprice, Jo Wood and Nana Akua join celebrities and global business leaders at autoimmune charity gala

ASA Foundation announces landmark Middle East humanitarian appointment and £100,000 education appeal as research reveals autoimmune conditions affect around one in eight women Caprice, Jo Wood and broadcaster Nana Akua joined fellow celebrities, entrepreneurs and heads of global corporations at the Autoimmune Support & Awareness Foundation’s C.U.R.E. Gala at The Londoner on 25 September, showing their support through their attendance and bringing visibility to the charity’s m

Jingle Jam opens creator sign-ups for 2026

Jingle Jam has opened registration for creators and other fundraisers on Tiltify, ahead of its two-week fundraising event running from 1 to 14 December 2026. Anyone can sign up and create a fundraising page, with the option to support one or more of this year’s eight charity partners: Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), War Child UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, WWF, Make-A-Wish, Become, The Trevor Project and SpecialEffect. Jingle Jam brings together games cre

Dormant Assets Scheme announces record £370m distribution to good causes

The UK’s Dormant Assets Scheme is to release a record £370 million for good causes after Reclaim Fund Ltd (RFL) approved its largest-ever distribution to The National Lottery Community Fund. The payment, announced in RFL’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26, takes the total amount committed to good causes through the Scheme since its launch to more than £1.6 billion. Reclaim Fund Ltd (RFL) said the increased distribution follows a comprehensive review of how it manages it

MCDONALD'S UK AIMS FOR £1.5 MILLION DONATION

MCDONALD'S UK AIMS FOR £1.5 MILLION DONATION IN SUPPORT OF RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE UK FOR THE UK LAUNCH OF McHAPPY DAY® 2026 The inaugural annual fundraising day launches in the UK on Saturday 26th September, giving customers the chance to make a real difference for families with seriously ill children £1 from every qualifying main meal* will be donated to Ronald McDonald House UK on 26th September The fundraising effort is supported by Franchisees and suppliers tha

Charity fundraising expert Darren Richards selected as one of the Foundever AI 100 UK 2026

Charity fundraising expert Darren Richards selected as one of the Foundever AI 100 UK 2026 The founder of Charity AI Partners is recognised by Digital Leaders as one of 100 people putting AI to good use and making an impact for social good across the UK. UK, 23 September 2026. Darren Richards, founder of Charity AI Partners and an expert on AI for charity fundraising, has been selected as one of the Foundever AI 100 UK 2026, Digital Leaders’ list of 100 people putting AI to g

c2c unveils Gold Geese train to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, local rail operator c2c Railway - now part of GBR Anglia, bringing together c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under one leadership structure - has unveiled a new train wrap celebrating the vital work of its long-standing charity partner, Gold Geese. The newly redesigned train was officially launched this morning at Southend Central station to celebrate the incredible work of the South Essex charity, which provides practical

Jet2 sponsors new Shooting Star Children's Hospices podcast and donates flights to support families

Jet2 is helping Shooting Star Children’s Hospices raise vital funds to support hundreds of families facing the unimaginable by sponsoring the charity’s new podcast, Shooting Star Unwrapped. The sponsorship marks a further show of support from Jet2 for the communities it serves, with Shooting Star Children’s Hospices providing specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. As part of the

Squire's Garden Centres announce new charity partners

Squire’s Garden Centres has raised an impressive £23,577 for local charities through its annual ‘Charity of the Year’ programme, helping support charities that make a real difference in the communities surrounding its 17 garden centres. Now in its fifteenth year, the initiative sees each Squire’s centre partner with a local charity chosen by colleagues. From 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026, fundraising activities took place across the business, raising vital funds and awareness

Housebuilder Keepmoat raises over £15,000 for its new corporate charity partner

Keepmoat's East Midlands region has raised £15,264 as part of its first regional fundraiser for its new corporate charity partner, Magic Breakfast. Through its work with schools across Nottingham and beyond, Magic Breakfast is the UK’s leading school breakfast charity. They make a difference to around 300,000 children and young people every day by offering breakfasts and expert advice to tackle morning hunger in schools across England and Scotland. Spearheaded by the develope

LSEG Foundation welcomes charity partner London Youth

LSEG Foundation and London Youth: putting opportunity at the heart of their corporate partnership The LSEG Foundation has welcomed London Youth to the London Stock Exchange to celebrate their charity partnership, with an event focused on leadership, resilience and, importantly, the power of opportunity. The charity partnership is supporting employability programmes delivered through London Youth's network of almost 600 member organisations, reaching more than 600,000 young Lo

LNER staff fundraise for charity partner at Great North Run

Over twenty LNER colleagues are gearing up to take part in this weekend’s Great North Run in support of LNER charity partner CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). LNER Drivers, Train Managers, Customer Experience Hosts, station and office-based colleagues from across the LNER route will join thousands of other participants in Newcastle-upon-Tyne this Sunday (13 September 2026) for the annual half-marathon. So far, they have raised several thousand pounds for CALM. LNER ha

Sign up to receive Partnerships News via email

Comments

The Inflexion Foundation commits £1275000 funding to four charities

M&S celebrates 25 years of partnership with Breast Cancer Now

FM Conway named headline construction sector sponsor of The Big Goal

Nex Playground announces new charity partnership with NSPCC

Liverpool pubs raise £15000 for Spirit of Shankly after year-long fundraising effort

Gloucester Web Developer CREATIVO Launches Free Website Initiative for UK Charities

AF Blakemore awards £38000 to community causes through SPAR Community Cashback

Families of missing Brits abroad to benefit from new support as government partners with charity Missing People

Bentley Celebrates Community Volunteers at Annual Charity Recognition Event

Hope Spring eCards Partners with SuS Pads on Christmas eCards Fundraiser

McDONALD'S AND RONALD McDONALD HOUSE UK AND RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IRELAND CELEBRATE OVER £3 MILLION RAISED

Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation Launch Multi-Year Partnership

RED FUNNEL STARTS SEARCH FOR ITS 2027 CHARITY OF THE YEAR

Reward Funding Raises £40,000 for Women’s Aid Following Year of Fundraising

Crisis Student Response Network Joins Greater Good Charities, Strengthening Youth-Driven Social Impact

Domestic abuse victims given discreet route to support as Nationwide provides Safe Spaces online

How Tickled Pink awareness campaign led to Asda colleague Donna's breast cancer diagnosis

UK government joins forces with Breast Cancer Now

'Breast friends' from Asda Thornaby celebrate 30th anniversary of Tickled Pink

Scotmid raises a record £474,500 for Alzheimer's charity partnership

Morrisons launches huge toy sale to help customers spread the cost this Christmas

PAWFIT AND BATTERSEA JOIN FORCES TO HELP KEEP PETS SAFE AND SUPPORT ANIMALS IN NEED

Mills & Reeve Charitable Trust distributes £316,250 to charities

Pinewood Studios launches Community Fund to support local projects and organisations

Caprice, Jo Wood and Nana Akua join celebrities and global business leaders at autoimmune charity gala

Jingle Jam opens creator sign-ups for 2026

Dormant Assets Scheme announces record £370m distribution to good causes

MCDONALD'S UK AIMS FOR £1.5 MILLION DONATION

Charity fundraising expert Darren Richards selected as one of the Foundever AI 100 UK 2026

c2c unveils Gold Geese train to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Jet2 sponsors new Shooting Star Children's Hospices podcast and donates flights to support families

Squire's Garden Centres announce new charity partners

Housebuilder Keepmoat raises over £15,000 for its new corporate charity partner

LSEG Foundation welcomes charity partner London Youth

LNER staff fundraise for charity partner at Great North Run

Search By Tags