Tearfund donations tripled to bring positive change for life

SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXtra brands in Northern Ireland, have launched a seasonal fundraising campaign to support Tearfund in 2017.

Tearfund’s Change for Life campaign, which launched recently in association with the Department for International Development aims to empower people in countries like the Central African Republic, who have been affected by conflict to overcome poverty for good.

For every £1 donated to the campaign, the UK Government will donate £1, and in turn, SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO or ViVOXtra will also donate £1, meaning every £1 donated is automatically tripled, becoming £3.

The campaign is running until the end of January 2018, and is aiming to raise money to help change the lives of families in the Central African Republic, and around the world, who have suffered unimaginably due to conflict and poverty.

Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group commented; “Each year, our shoppers prove just how generous they are by purchasing products associated with a Tearfund Campaign, and this year, it just couldn’t be simpler to give.

“Shoppers can simply make a donation at the till or online, and we will ensure that every £1 will automatically turn in to £3, alongside the UK Government, to go towards this very worthwhile campaign, which will empower women with skills and support to grow a business, education to learn to read, or farming skills to rebuild their livelihoods.”

Ruth Koch, Northern Ireland Director at Tearfund added; “It is just fantastic to have SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXtra  stores which stand in every community in Northern Ireland, on board with this life-changing campaign. As Tearfund operates in the countries of greatest need around the world, the donations to this appeal will improve the welfare and livelihood of so many.

The campaign will help people like Geena, a widow who had to flee her village due to conflict and live in the bush, along with her 6 children. Facing extreme hunger and no protection, the family was desperate. Geena met Tearfund who equipped her to rebuild her family’s life through training and essential materials. Geena is now able to support her family and has bright hope for the future., in the midst of an unimaginably dark situation..”

“Tearfund is supporting thousands of vulnerable women in the Central African Republic to build businesses and increase their incomes, stimulating economic growth. The Change for Life appeal will help women escape poverty to build a secure future for them and their families.

“Every donation made by the generous public to the Change for Life appeal will be matched pound for pound by the UK Government, meaning we will double the difference to those most in need and their families. And every £1 donation made in store or via www.tearfund.org/triple will also be matched by EUROSPAR, SPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA  which will help more women in need.”

Q Radio has pledged to support the campaign this year, and the Q bus will be present at a special fundraising coffee morning at EUROSPAR in Cullybackey on Saturday 2^nd December.

Cate Conway, Presenter of the Breakfast Show on Q Radio who helped launch the regional campaign said; “I am honoured to be helping launch this fantastic initiative to benefit Tearfund’s work around the world. If we enable and empower women with skills that can sustainably change their lives and take them out of poverty, then I am 100% behind that cause.”

EUROSPAR, SPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA have been supporting Tearfund in Northern Ireland since 2012, raising over £700,000 so far which helped to supply one million meals to families in West & Central African Countries; helped towards combating human trafficking; and empowered communities by supporting a wide range of activities such as income generation in Ethiopia, crime prevention in Columbia, refugee support in Egypt, girls’ education in Chad, HIV/AIDS prevention and care work in Nigeria.