Published June 14th, 2023
Colleagues from SPAR stores around Portsmouth have organised a fundraising walk and music event for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance after it saved the life of a store manager.
The sold out charity music event took place at The Lounge in Gosport on Saturday 10 June and resulted in £1,400 raised through ticket sales and raffle entries. The sponsored 38.5 mile walk is planned for Tuesday 13 June.
The music event was organised by colleague Helen Mclaren and featured Dan Hadfield and Scott Borley as Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams tribute acts.
Last Christmas SPAR store manager Helen Mclaren suffered a near-fatal incident and required the services of the Air Ambulance which ultimately delivered the blood that saved her life. Helen and her daughter Indya Rose, who is the area manager, as well as several other local store managers and friends have organised the fundraising to show their thanks to the charity.
Tanya Ward and Kate Stephenson are the SPAR store managers organising the charity walk. Tanya said: “After the horrendous ordeal Helen went through we wanted to do our bit for the Air Ambulance to show how grateful we are for the amazing lifesaving work they do. The walk is a fun way for any of the team to get involved in fundraising.
“Helen is well known in the area for her kindness and willingness to help; she is not only a great colleague but also a good friend. We’re so lucky to still have her with us, and give credit to the amazing Ambulance and the Air Ambulance teams who together saved her life. We’re so proud to be helping raise money and spread awareness of this brilliant charity.”
The team has already raised £1,900 of its £2,000 goal, with Appleby Westward, SPAR’s wholesaler for the South West, having donated £500.
Ten people will be participating in the walk which covers the area Helen works in and will include visits to 15 SPAR stores in the region, all either owned or managed by Appleby Westward. It has been dubbed the “24 in 24” to represent the area number and the number of hours it will be completed in.
The fundraising event featured tribute music acts, a raffle, an auction and a wheelbarrow of wine as well as a spokesperson from the Air Ambulance who was there to further raise awareness of the service’s lifesaving work.
Area manager and Helen’s Daughter, Indya Rose, said: “Words can’t describe how grateful we are for the services of the Air Ambulance which saved my mum’s life. And to now see my store managers, the company and the community all come together to show their support for the charity is such an incredible feeling.”
Appleby Westward is also showing its support of the staff initiative with Air Ambulance collection pots at the till in stores and by encouraging staff to wear green and yellow, the colours of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, on the day of the walk.
Additional fundraising events including raffles and bake sales are being planned throughout the year.
To find out more information on the event and to donate, visit the donation page here.
For more information on SPAR, visit www.spar.co.uk.
