Generous customers and staff at Aldi’s McKendrick Villas store in Newcastle have pulled together to raise £1,500 for Teenage Cancer Trust, helping the retailer to hit its £2m milestone this month
Employees in the McKendrick Villas store alone have supported the charity push over the last six months by organising a Teenage Cancer Trust ‘store takeover’, which itself raised £1,100 in a single day. Customers were able to get gel tattoos, purchase a hot dog to snack on, and enter a tombola with a top prize of a designer handbag. Meanwhile, one of the store’s assistance managers, Robert McLellan, carried out an endurance cycle ride on a stationary bike in front of the store, taking only a single 30-minute break over the course of the day.
After beginning the partnership to raise £5m in January 2017 and reaching £1m at the turn of the year, the McKendrick Villas team’s fundraising efforts have enabled Aldi to hit the £2m national fundraising milestone much earlier than expected. More specifically, this includes helping to fund a Nursing post and one Youth Support Coordinator post in the region.
Glenn Higginson, Area Manager at Aldi UK, said: “We’re proud to be part of the communities we serve. Our customers and colleagues are coming together to smash our fundraising targets one by one, and we’re so grateful for their support.
“We plan to make the most of the longer days throughout the summer with many more fundraising events planned as we edge closer to our £5 million target.”
This money raised by Aldi’s 775 local stores has helped to ensure there are Teenage Cancer Specialists in all local communities across the UK, and is playing a vital role in protecting and growing the services Teenage Cancer Trust provides.
Kate Collins, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the passionate and enthusiastic support that Aldi’s team and customers are giving to young people with cancer. Hitting the second million just four months after achieving the first is amazing and every pound raised makes the vital work of Teenage Cancer Trust possible.
“Right now, for every young person Teenage Cancer Trust reach, there’s another we can’t. This money will help us provide young people with cancer the best treatment, care and support – and ultimately ensure that no young person faces cancer alone.”
Teenage Cancer Trust delivers world-class cancer care and support to young people diagnosed with cancer aged 13 to 24.
It works in partnership with the NHS to provide highly-trained expert staff and specialist cancer units in NHS hospitals across the UK. The charity is there at every stage from diagnosis, through treatment and after treatment. It also brings young people with cancer together so they can support each other.