Appleby Westward, the South West Spar wholesaler and owner/manager of all Spar stores in the region, has recently announced the recipients of its Community Cashback grants for 2023. In its second year running, the scheme has donated a generous total of £40,000 to over twenty local charities and organizations. The Stepping Out Cancer Rehabilitation Community Group, a Dorset-based charity, has been awarded the second-highest grant of £2,000 in recognition of its remarkable contribution to the community.
The main goal of the Bridport community group is to aid adults in their recovery from cancer or improve their quality of life while living with the disease. This is achieved through a wide range of tailored group activities that provide attendees with a support network of like-minded individuals. To ensure accessibility for all, Stepping Out offers its services free of charge. The grant from Appleby Westward Spar Community Cashback Scheme will be utilized to sustain and develop this invaluable service.
Richard Walsh, cancer & exercise rehabilitation specialist and finance manager at Stepping Out, expressed his gratitude for the grant, saying, “We are delighted to receive the grant from the Appleby Westward Spar Community Cashback Scheme which will help us to continue delivering our activity programme during the current year. Stepping Out is delivered free to all participants in recognition of the detrimental impact that a diagnosis of cancer can have on a person’s financial and mental wellbeing. We are therefore totally dependent on receiving grants and community fundraising to enable us to continue helping people with cancer.”
Head of marketing at Appleby Westward, Nick Vivian, shared his excitement in choosing Stepping Out as one of the highest grant recipients for the 2023 scheme. Acknowledging the exceptional work carried out by the charity and the immense appreciation from its community, Vivian added, “We received nearly 2,000 applications from various organizations across the South West, so it was very difficult to narrow it down to just eighteen lucky recipients, but I hope the grants can help each of the chosen organizations and charities continue their work while showing our appreciation for them.”
The 2023 scheme has been modified to benefit a larger number of organizations, considering the overwhelming volume of applications received this year. Grants have been allocated in smaller amounts ranging from £400 to £2,250. Among the recipients, Coast Medic, an emergency care charity in Cornwall, has been chosen to receive the highest grant of £2,250. This funding will be dedicated to specialist training and acquiring new equipment to support the RNLI and NHS in their life-saving work at sea and in rural areas of Cornwall.
In conclusion, Appleby Westward’s Community Cashback scheme represents a remarkable initiative driven by the aim to support deserving organizations and charities in the South West. With its second year of operation, the scheme has made a significant impact, bringing the total contribution from Spar UK Community Cashback initiative to £200,000 across five regional wholesalers. The grants bestowed upon these organizations will undoubtedly play a vital role in sustaining their valuable work within the community.