SPAR and Make-A-Wish ambassador Keith Barry have come together this Christmas to urge the public to donate to the charity this Christmas to 'grant the wishes of sick children all over Ireland during the festive season'.
The group highlighted that 2021 has been a challenging year for the charity due to the on-going impact of COVID-19.
Despite the restrictions and the lockdowns, Make-A-Wish is on target to grant 100 wishes this year.
However, there are over 200 children on the list waiting for their wish to be granted and the charity needs the public’s help.
“On behalf of our SPAR retailers, I want to express our on-going commitment to helping Make-a-Wish Ireland realise their ambition in granting these children their ‘wishes’," commented Colin Donnelly, sales director, SPAR.
"It is SPAR retailers who chose our official charity partner, and they are passionate about supporting their wonderful mission. Hopefully, we can all do our bit to help make sure we put more smiles on children’s faces this Christmas,” he said.
‘Believe in Magic’
This Christmas, SPAR is supporting its official national charity partner through the creation of a festive digital campaign that encourages us all to ‘Believe in Magic’.
The campaign, which launched in early December, asks the public to – simply take a card, any card, debit or credit and use it to make a donation to help grant a wish this Christmas.
“As a proud Ambassador for Make-A-Wish I understand the impact that a wish can have on a child. There is nothing more special or indeed magical than seeing a child’s face light up with sheer joy when their special wish comes true," said Keith Barry.
"Every one of us could do with a little magic in our lives and I am asking everyone in Ireland to help spread a little magic this year and donate to Make-A-Wish and help us make wishes come true for these inspiring children,” he said.
Make A Difference
People can contribute via the charity’s official website by making a one-off donation, or by signing up to a monthly or annual commitment here.
Shoppers in SPAR’s more than 400 stores nationwide can make a donation by scanning the QR code on posters in stores. SPAR shoppers have contributed over €402,000 to Make-A-Wish since January 2020.
Susan McQuaid O’Dwyer, chief executive of Make-A-Wish Ireland, said, "We are constantly inspired by the families we meet on a daily basis. The resilience and determination they demonstrate despite the challenges they face due to their child’s illness and the impact of COVID-19 is remarkable. Their positivity and can-do attitude is inspiring.
"Our children have one simple expectation and that is to just be a child for a day and believe anything is possible. We continue to work tirelessly to grant as many wishes as possible despite the challenges, however, we need your help. Your donation this Christmas will make a difference to a child’s life and bring a smile to their face,” she added.
2021 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more Retail News click here. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
