Lancaster hospice gets £25k cash boost from convenience store

Lawrence Hunt & Co Ltd, a Lancashire-based family business operating 26 Spar stores, has donated £25,000 each to Cash for Kids, St Catherine’s Hospice and St John’s Hospice.

In a positive move for the community, the retailer is encouraging the general public in the area to support local charities after seeing how they have suffered a loss of fundraising income following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Hunt, managing director of Lawrence Hunt & Co, said: “We have worked really hard to support our local communities by remaining open and keeping a supply of essential items available for everyone throughout the pandemic.

"In return we are delighted to support Cash for Kids, St Catherine’s Hospice and St John’s Hospice. We have supported these three organisations for many years and know the effect Covid-19 has had on their fundraising efforts.

"We wanted to do something to help and hope this donation will encourage others to look towards charitable groups and hospices in the region.

“During the pandemic local community groups and charities have suffered as they rely so much on donations from the general public.

"As an independent convenience store business based in Lancashire, we have always been proud to support our local community.

"Hundreds of fundraising events have been cancelled over the past few months and we know this injection of funds will help them continue to play a vital role in the community,” he added.

Catherine Butterworth, director of income generation at St John’s, said: “What a generous way to support our charity! The timing could not be better – we have had to cancel so many of our major fundraising events because of coronavirus.

"The virus has also meant that we have had to temporarily close our lovely café, our popular shops have been closed for months, so every way we turn our fundraising streams are drying up.

"The generosity of Lawrence Hunt Spar stores is very humbling and this donation will help our services at St John’s to continue to provide outstanding care to our community.

"Whilst we know it is challenging times for many people, I would like to reassure everyone that if you can support or donate to any of these three wonderful charities they will ensure that the donation is spent locally in your community. We really need support now more than ever and ask if you can help please do.”