‘Give the greatest gift this Christmas’, a new festive appeal that will empower women into education, will aim to raise £1,000,000, it has been announced.

The annual festive appeal from Tearfund in partnership with SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO retailers in Northern Ireland has launched, with the retailer committing to match up to £500,000 raised through donations from supporters, shoppers and teams to reach the million-pound milestone.

This year’s appeal focuses on women living in the Central African Republic (CAR), and how literacy can be a superpower for families battling poverty in a country where three in four women can’t read or write.

Now, the owner of a female led brand in Northern Ireland has put her backing behind the campaign, sharing her passion for women to be able to reach their full potential through access to education and programmes that can develop their skills.

Elanna McGowan, founder of Pearl Beauty says she is excited to support the Tearfund Christmas Appeal for 2025 and commented; “I am incredibly proud to run a women-led business which has female empowerment at its core. Supporting this appeal speaks to a topic close to my heart. Education has the power to change everything, it helps us with confidence and the inspiration to shape our own futures and as a mother, we want to ensure our children have every opportunity possible for their futures.

“That’s why I’m delighted to be supporting Tearfund’s Christmas Appeal this year, helping to give women and their children the gift of education. Every penny is so appreciated and will go so much further with the match funding.”

Every mother wants to create a good life for her children. But the painful reality for women like Julia, a 23-year-old single mother who lives with her parents in the CAR, is having to make a choice between feeding her child or sending him to school.

Julia became pregnant when she was 17 and had to leave school. She encountered many challenges that made it difficult for her to keep pursuing her education. Determined to provide for her son, Julia was overjoyed when she heard about the literacy classes at a local women’s association, supported by Tearfund.

“I was very happy that I could learn alongside other girls and women, so I decided to join,” she says. “Education is good for young people. Without education, it’s very hard to achieve as much as women. It also gives you confidence.”

Through her classes, Julia has learnt to knit clothes and is selling them to make a small income. But for Julia and so many women facing poverty, she is still anxious about how to provide for her child. “My main concern is how I’m going to send him to school and if I’ll afford the school fees,” she says.

Chris Thompson, Tearfund’s Director in Northern Ireland says, “Tearfund exists to empower individuals like Julia, to equip them with the tools to earn an income, save and invest money and see their families thrive. Education opens the doors to endless possibilities for Julia and her son. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, including SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO shoppers, we hope to give many more women across the world the chance to get equipped and get employed, or even better to create employment for themselves and others. I’ve seen first-hand the role that women play in bringing transformation to their communities.”

SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores across Northern Ireland have played an instrumental role in funding life changing programmes through Tearfund’s work over the past 13 years, with staff and shopper donations impacting over half a million people living in extreme poverty around the world.

Bronagh Luke from SPAR NI shares; “Every woman deserves the opportunity to access an education, and to have the chance to create a better life for herself and her children. It could be too easy for us, as women in business, to take for granted the privileges we’ve had, receiving an education, developing our skills, and being able to work and earn an income. Sadly, for many women across the world, this is not yet a reality.

“This is an important annual appeal for our stores, and we are proud to match each pound raised to help Tearfund’s partners as they empower women to bring about transformation.”

‘Give the greatest gift this Christmas’ is now live, with donation boxes in SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA stores throughout Northern Ireland, running until 31st January 2026. Shoppers can also donate online and find out more via Tearfund.org/SPAR.

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