Run Together aims to raise £20,000 for Action Cancer

Local convenience retailer Centra is rallying for runners across Northern Ireland to take part in its annual fundraising event, Run Together.

This year aims to bring together 1,600 runners for one ultimate Run Together event taking place on 22^nd October at Ormeau Park in Belfast. With both a 5K and 10K run, casual and experienced runners are encouraged to take part to raise vital funds for charity partner, Action Cancer. There are 200 early bird registrations open now for each run with the 10K priced at £15 (normally £20) and the 5K available to book for £8 (normally £10). The full registration fee will be donated to Action Cancer.

Centra has supported Action Cancer since 2001, and this year aims to raise an overall total of £175,000 to help keep the charity’s mobile detection the Big Bus on the road and provide its free life-saving services to communities across Northern Ireland, including breast screening, health checks, and new for 2023, skin cancer detection.

As part of Centra’s Live Well initiative, Run Together is designed to motivate people of any ability or age to embrace a healthy lifestyle by taking part in the run. Whether participants are just starting their fitness journey or are looking for something to do with the family, the event is open to everyone. Participants can walk, jog or run through the park, alongside hundreds of others, to raise funds and awareness for Action Cancer.

The runs will be staggered with the 10K kicking off at 9.30am and the 5K at 11am.

Local fitness Trainer, Bubba, is joining again this year to lead a pre-run stretch for all those taking part while Centra brand ambassador and radio presenter Pete Snodden will start the event and welcome participants over the finish line.

Everyone taking part will receive a medal, t-shirt, goodie bag, Frank and Honest coffee and lunch.

Commenting on the launch, Jennifer Morton, Centra brand manager, said: “We are excited to welcome back our Run Together fundraising event for 2023. There was a real feeling of community spirit during last year’s series and we’re looking forward to this year’s event being even bigger and better with more than 1,600 people joining together to raise money for Action Cancer.

“As part of Centra’s Live Well initiative, our aim as always is to get as many people as we can up and moving. Whether you’re running the 5K with your family or really challenging yourself with the 10K, the run is a perfect opportunity to get outside and have fun whilst raising some money for an amazing cause.”

Lucy McCusker, corporate fundraising manager for Action Cancer added: “Run Together is always a fantastic event and we are very grateful to everyone who turns out to support it. The money raised makes a real difference to many people, by enabling us to bring our life saving services directly to them on the Big Bus.  Early detection saves lives, so we would encourage people to sign up, take part and help keep the Big Bus on the road.”

To enter the 5K or 10K at Run Together, visit the website: https://centraruntogether.eventbrite.co.uk

Leading convenience retail brands, Centra and SuperValu part of Musgrave NI, have planted another 5,000 native trees across Northern Ireland this year, bringing them a step closer to their goal of planting 50,000 trees by 2032.

In partnership with Trees on the Land, a charity and not-for-profit project from the Green Economy Foundation, the initiative launched last year and saw 5,000 trees planted across 13 locations in Northern Ireland, while this year a further 5,000 have been planted in 17 locations.

Groups to have received trees this year include Enniskillen Integrated Primary School, Armoy Community Association, Colin Wildlife Group in Dunmurry, Strathroy Community Garden & Shed in Omagh, and St Colum’s Primary School in Portstewart.

Colleagues from Centra and SuperValu stores across Northern Ireland supported the initiative by pulling on their wellies and visiting many of the tree planting locations.

Desi Derby, Director of Marketing for Centra and SuperValu, said:

“This project is extremely important to us all at Centra and SuperValu. We are committed to doing all we can to help the environment and become a more sustainable business and tree planting is just one of the many ways we are giving back to the environment.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Trees on the Land once again to plant a further 5,000 trees, helping to absorb more carbon dioxide, improve air quality and enhance biodiversity across Northern Ireland.”

Imogen Rabone, Project Co-ordinator and Founder of Trees on the Land, added: “This is now our second year working with Musgrave NI and we are delighted to have them on board with such an amazing project. We had an extremely successful year last year planting 5,000 trees across 13 locations, and have distributed another 5,000 trees this year across 17 locations.

“Our vision at Trees on the Land is to establish tree cover and woodland in rural and urban areas that will grow for many years and provide valuable resources for future generations. It is thanks to partnerships like this with Musgrave NI that makes this possible.”

A commitment to planting 50,000 trees is one in a list of steps being taken by Centra and SuperValu to make their stores and communities more sustainable.

“We all have a responsibility to care for the environment and we believe small changes can make a big impact. Together with our customers, we can build a more sustainable future by helping to look after the planet we all share,” Desi said.

Murphy’s Centra Greenbank and forecourt on Warrenpoint Road in Newry has officially relaunched following an investment of £650,000.

Local family owners, Seamus & Madeline, their son Declan and daughter Niamh Browne, have made significant changes to the store, including a large extension to the rear, to create a more seamless and modern shopping environment for customers.

A brand new hot and cold deli counter offers customers fresh food-to-go including sandwiches, salads and hot food, while shoppers can enjoy delicious, sweet treats from the new Moo’d ice-cream bar.

A new Frank and Honest Coffee dock offers shoppers a greater selection of hot drinks to takeaway. An environmental pledge is at the core of the gourmet coffee brand, featuring 100% compostable coffee cups, plastic free coffee capsules and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee beans. Shoppers can also benefit from the digital loyalty app which offers a free coffee after earning ten digital stamps.

To mark the occasion, the team welcomed Damien Hillen from the Southern Area Hospice and presented him with a £1,000 donation.

Commenting at the launch of the refreshed store, Declan Murphy said,

“Our Centra store has undergone a complete remodel and we are excited to show our customers the changes. The new deli and Frank and Honest coffee machine offers a greater range of food and drinks for our on-the-go shoppers, whilst the extended store provides convenience to our local customers with an expanded range of grocery options. We’d like to thank Damien for helping to open our store and welcome our customers.”

Further changes include new checkouts and self-scan kiosks to assist flow of traffic in-store and create efficiencies among employees.

Aligning with Musgrave Group’s sustainability goals, the updated store also features new LED lighting, refrigeration, digital screens, and Electronic Shelf Edge Labelling (ESELs) to reduce the store’s energy consumption and carbon footprint. In 2022, Musgrave Group announced its target of reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2040, and has committed a £3.6M fund to support retailers to upgrade their stores to achieve this goal.

Musgrave NI’s Retail Sales Director, Paddy Murney added:

“The Murphy’s newly refreshed and updated store in Newry will be a real asset to the local community as well as shoppers passing through, offering the height of convenience at great value. As part of Centra’s commitment to value, our shoppers will benefit from over 200 special offer items every week and over 300 cheaper own brand products. As well as our Epic Deal promotion on four big brand products, which change every three weeks.”

Centra is also committed to supporting local suppliers, with Musgrave NI spending more than £160m on local food and drink annually.

Paddy continued: “We work with more than 3,000 local farmers, partner with over 150 local suppliers and stock over 3,500 local products across our stores providing shoppers with the freshest produce and range of choice.”

Centra and SuperValu are celebrating after raising a staggering £200,000 for their long-term charity partner Action Cancer, following a year-long programme of fundraising activity.

Caring customers donated generously to a range of fundraising initiatives, supported by Centra and SuperValu retailers and their staff, who are committed to helping the charity keep its mobile detection unit the Big Bus on the road, saving lives across Northern Ireland.

Desi Derby, Director of Marketing for Centra & SuperValu commented on the fundraising total:

“Over the past few years, we have been faced with one challenge after another – first the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis.  But against the odds, and thanks to the ongoing commitment of our retail partners and staff, our colleagues, and of course our loyal and generous shoppers, we have raised the most we have ever raised in one year, bringing our overall contribution to Action Cancer to £3.7 million.

“Sadly, we all know someone who has been affected by cancer and that makes us all the more determined to do what we can to ensure Action Cancer can continue to provide their vital life-saving services to women across Northern Ireland. We’re looking forward to marking Action Cancer’s 50^th Anniversary with a renewed vigour for fundraising.”

Gareth Kirk, Action Cancer CEO, added:

“The £200,000 raised in 2022 is incredible, a huge Action Cancer thank you and gratitude to all at Centra and SuperValu and its amazing customers, who despite the current financial situation, have once again given so generously.

“Centra and SuperValu are our longest and one of our most important partners. Their support makes it possible to operate the Big Bus and its services – our partnership works so well because of our shared Values – planning hand-in-glove, making a difference to the lives of local people and communities.”

Working together throughout 2022, the Big Bus with its onboard life-saving breast screening (for women aged 40-49 and 70+) and health checks (for men and women aged 18+), visited almost 100 communities across Northern Ireland. It provided reassurance to women in these locations and also detected early-stage breast cancers in 10 women, with no symptoms. 300 people were also referred to primary care for further investigation as a result of their health check.

In 2023, Action Cancer’s 50^th Anniversary Year there are exciting plans for services onboard the Big Bus, made possible by the ongoing commitment of Musgrave NI.

Action Cancer Ambassador Sinead Hoben, from Newry, who has availed of the free breast screening service onboard the Big Bus, and whose cancer was detected by the charity, shares her experience:

“Since turning 40, I have routinely gone for breast screening appointments at Action Cancer, both onboard the Big Bus and at Action Cancer House. Following my fifth screening in March 2019, at the age of 48, I received a letter from Action Cancer saying the mammogram had picked up something and needed further investigation.”

After attending a breast clinic at her local hospital, Sinead discovered she had breast cancer.

“Because I had been going for regular screenings, the cancer was detected early, and I did not need radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I am living proof that the early detection screening at Action Cancer saved my life. I’d definitely recommend women in their 40s and over the age of 70 to make an appointment on the Big Bus today.”

To reach the fundraising total of £200,000, initiatives from the retail brands included an International Coffee Day when Centra and SuperValu retailers pledged 50p from the sale of each Frank and Honest coffee purchased over three days to the charity, raising £17,000.

The brands also called on shoppers to ‘sponsor a mammogram’ and raise £120 per store – the amount it costs for Action Cancer to provide one woman outside of NHS screening age, with a free breast screening appointment.

The Centra Run Together series was back with a bang with the finale in Ormeau Park, Belfast welcoming over 800 participants and £20,000 raised across the events. SuperValu was proud to sponsor Breast Foot Forward in June when Belfast’s City Hall was a sea of pink as participants took on the 5k and 10k routes around the city.

Meanwhile stores across the country also took part in many fundraising activities of their own including competitions, raffles and quiz nights.

Centra and SuperValu stores donate 50p from every pumpkin sold to Action Cancer.

There are pumpkins a plenty across Centra and SuperValu stores this season as the convenience retailers have joined forces with County Armagh supplier Gilfresh to sell the pick of the patch, with 50p from each pumpkin sale going straight to local charity Action Cancer.

The retail brands’ long-term charity partner Action Cancer will use funds raised to help keep its mobile detection unit the Big Bus on the road, bringing its free health checks and breast screening services to communities across Northern Ireland.

Desi Derby, Marketing Director at Centra and SuperValu NI said:

“Our customers are extremely supportive of Action Cancer and it’s thanks to the ongoing support from them and our retail partners that the Big Bus can continue to visit communities across Northern Ireland and provide cancer prevention and life-saving services to so many people.

“Halloween is such a fun time for many people whether dressing up or carving pumpkins, and this is an easy way for our shoppers to help raise vital funds for a very worthwhile charity, while enjoying themselves at the same time.”  

Gareth Kirk, CEO of Action Cancer added: –

“Once again Centra and SuperValu are pulling out all the stops to raise essential funds for Action Cancer. We hope shoppers pick up a pumpkin in their local store and help us to continue to deliver our life-saving services and support those who really need help.”

Centra and SuperValu have been partnering with Action Cancer since 2001 and to date have raised £3.5 million – one of the largest amounts ever by a company for an individual charity in Northern Ireland.

Pumpkins are available to purchase in stores now – for a full list of Centra stores click here and SuperValu stores click here.

A local fundraising drive for Action Cancer, supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Leading food convenience retailers Centra and SuperValu, are launching a new initiative to support their long-term charity partner Action Cancer, by encouraging shoppers to help sponsor a mammogram.

Each Centra and SuperValu store is aiming to raise at least £120, which is how much it costs Action Cancer to provide one free mammogram to women in Northern Ireland. Last year, the service provided 1,950 breast screenings to women aged 40-49 and over 70 years – outside of NHS screening age.

From Monday 10th to Friday 14^th October, staff at Centra and SuperValu stores across Northern Ireland will be armed with buckets collecting donations to raise funds for this life-saving service. Customers will also be able to donate at the tills using cash or card.

Desi Derby, Director of Marketing for Centra and SuperValu, said,

“We have a long-standing partnership with Action Cancer and our amazing retailers, colleagues and customers have raised £3.5m to date to keep the Big Bus on the road. We’re proud to launch this new initiative and would encourage our customers to support this worthwhile cause in our stores and help save the life of a mum, granny, daughter, aunt, wife or friend.

“Our marketing campaign features 16 local women who have benefited from Action Cancer breast screening service, a testament to the importance of this vital service and the need for continued fundraising.”

Corporate Fundraising Manager for Action Cancer, Lucy McCusker, added:

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Centra and SuperValu with the launch of this new initiative. Our breast screening service detects approximately six cancers in every 1,000 women screened, and with the support of our partners Centra and SuperValu, we can continue to provide these life-saving screenings. Each mammogram, while free to the client, costs Action Cancer £120, so every penny raised could help save the life of a woman close to you.”

Bridie Treanor from Roslea in County Fermanagh, and a mum to six children and granny to four grandchildren, attended Action Cancer’s Big Bus for a breast screening when it visited SuperValu Newtownbutler in 2019. As Bridie was outside the age bracket for NHS screening, it was this appointment that detected her cancer. Bridie underwent successful surgery and treatment and is now cancer free.

Speaking today, Bridie said:

“I am so thankful to Action Cancer’s Big Bus for saving my life and I can look forward to celebrating future birthdays and watching my family grow up. I never would have travelled all the way up to Belfast to attend a routine screening so I’m grateful that women like me can access this vital service in their own communities. Please support this wonderful charity in whatever way you can.”

Centra to donate 50p from every cup of Frank and Honest Coffee sold, to charity partners.

Staff from Centra, SuperValu and MACE stores across Northern Ireland are encouraging customers to ‘Espresso they care’ and celebrate International Coffee Day (Saturday, 1 October) at their local store while helping to raise much needed funds for local charities Action Cancer and Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke.

From Thursday, 29 September to Saturday, 1 October, each purchase of a Frank and Honest coffee in participating Centra, SuperValu and MACE stores, will see 50p going straight to the charities to help them continue to provide vital community services.

Last year the initiative raised an incredible £22,000 and this year the brands are hoping to smash that total and raise even more funds, which will help keep Action Cancer’s mobile clinic, The Big Bus, on the road and enable NI Chest Heart & Stroke to continue to deliver care services and health promotion programmes to thousands of people living with, or at risk of developing chest, heart, and stroke conditions.

Discussing the charity fundraising drive, Desi Derby, Marketing Director at Musgrave NI said:

“Our charity partners make a real difference to the lives of people across Northern Ireland, and we are delighted to launch this coffee fundraising initiative, which was a resounding success last year. We are sure that with the help and support of our customers purchasing a Frank and Honest coffee in their local store that we will once again raise much needed funds for Action Cancer and Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke.”

Centra and SuperValu have been partnering with Action Cancer since 2001 and to date have raised £3.5 million for the charity.

Thanking Centra and SuperValu and their customers for their ongoing support Gareth Kirk, CEO of Action Cancer said:

“The support provided by the customers and staff of Centra and SuperValu for Action Cancer is truly magnificent.  For over 21 years the income raised for Action Cancer has ensured the former and current BIG BUS have been able to deliver their unique onboard lifesaving breast screening service and health checks to local communities throughout Northern Ireland.  Without the commitment and support of Centra and SuperValu this would simply not have happened, for many women their breast cancers wouldn’t have been detected early and for some the outcome would have been very different.

“Please support this wonderful initiative by purchasing a Frank and Honest coffee and in doing so you will not only enjoy lovely coffee but will also be helping Action Cancer to save the lives of local people.”

MACE has enjoyed a partnership with Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke since 2016 and has so far raised over £245,000 for the charity.

Declan Cunnane, CEO of NI Chest Heart & Stroke added:

“We deliver vital care and prevention services across Northern Ireland, as well as carrying out extensive research into how to prevent chest, heart and stroke illnesses. Last year we supported 16,936 people and organisations, however, almost 90% of our services are funded by public donations. We very much appreciate the support of Mace customers whose generosity will enable us to help more local people living with these conditions and their families.”

Starting at £2.65 for a Frank and Honest coffee, 50p from the sale of each coffee will be donated to the charities over the three-day period.

£6,300 worth of Vouchers to be won in Centra’s ‘Shop For Free’ competition this Autumn

126 customers set to win a shop for free across Centra stores

Centra has launched its ‘Shop for Free’ campaign which will see the convenience food retailer give away more than £6,000 worth of vouchers in a daily draw across its stores for customers to get their shop for free.

As shoppers continue to deal with the increased cost of living, Centra is giving back to communities with prizes of £50 gift cards for three lucky winners every day between 5th September to 16th October. Shoppers are invited to scan a QR code in store and fill in their details online to enter the prize draw.

Desi Derby, Director of Marketing for Centra NI said,

“This latest initiative is in addition to our plan to support shoppers at this difficult time.  We’re investing in over 300 special offers every week across our stores, including many everyday essentials. We also have over 300 own-brand products across Centra which are up to 33% cheaper than the better-known brands and are committed to delivering the best value for our customers across our entire range.

“Customers across the region are feeling the squeeze on their household finances from the increased cost of living, so we wanted to give back to the communities in which we operate. We’ve committed over £6,000 to Centra shoppers offering them a chance to win £50 towards their weekly shop to top up on essentials and to treat themselves when times are tough. With three prizes to be won per day, a total of 126 Centra customers across Northern Ireland will benefit from the competition.” 

The “shop for free” competition, which is sponsored by Lucozade, Mi Wadi and Walkers, will run for 6 weeks from 5th September to 16th October with three winners chosen at random each day across Centra.

Full terms and conditions can be found here.