Big 4 grocer Morrisons has reached its target to raise £1 million for Together for Short Lives, a charity supporting the UK’s children’s hospices and families caring for seriously ill children.
The fundraising efforts shared between suppliers, employees and customers will see 680 families receiving respite care at their local hospice, 40 families given a chance to make memories and three community support workers able to reach thousands of families.
The money will also help to pay for five fully-accessible play areas for children in the UK with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
Cash donations in store and online provided by Morrisons shoppers and suppliers has helped to raise funds, as well as the retailer’s ‘Every Pack Gives Back’ initiative, which saw 5p donated to the cause every time a product within the range was purchased.
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Morrisons colleagues also raised money through more creative methods including skydives, golf days, black tie galas and in-store fundraisers. Many of these activities have also seen a cash boost through the Morrisons Foundation which aims to support the charities that colleagues fundraise for.
With Morrisons initial goal of £1 million reached, the supermarket chain now hopes to raise an additional £9 million over its three-year partnership with Together for Short Lives.
“Our colleagues and customers are passionate about raising vital funds for local children’s hospices so that they can provide seriously ill children and their families with opportunities to spend very highly valued time together,” said Morrisons CEO David Potts.
Together for Short Lives CEO Andy Fletcher added: “The creativity and enthusiasm shown by Morrisons colleagues up and down the country during the first four months of our partnership has been just amazing.
“A huge thank you from Together for Short Lives to everyone who has worked so hard to reach the £1 million milestone – it will make such a difference to families caring for a seriously ill child.”
The news comes as Morrisons sales have dropped by 6.4% year-on-year for the second quarter, amid what the supermarket giant has described as a “very fragile and difficult consumer environment”.
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