Festive fever swept the country on Saturday 12th December as Lidl Northern Ireland shoppers went wild in the aisles for the supermarket’s annual Trolley Dash fundraiser, bagging their Christmas shop and a host of festive treats for free, all to raise vital funds for NSPCC Northern Ireland.
40 lucky shoppers (one for every Lidl store in Northern Ireland) were selected to take part in the dash following a two week period of in-store ticket sales and raced against the clock to bag as much of their Christmas food shop for free as they could in just two minutes.
From cheese to chutney, panettone to profiteroles and mince pies to meringues, trollies were brimming with festive delights for shoppers to feast on this Christmas.
Now in its sixth year, the Trolley Dash initiative raised a staggering £100,000 for charity partner, NSPCC Northern Ireland, whose mission is to fight for every childhood. Operating three Service Centres in Belfast, Foyle and Craigavon and two Childline bases in Belfast and Foyle, NSPCC Northern Ireland supports children right across the region.
Lidl Northern Ireland’s Head of Sales Operations, Gordon Cruikshanks said: With many fundraisers compromised due to the pandemic, Trolley Dash has become our major charity fundraising initiative and is a real highlight for staff and customers alike. After a challenging year, we’re delighted to confirm that this year’s campaign generated a staggering £100,000 for our charity partner, NSPCC Northern Ireland, and we want to say a huge thank you to all of our customers for their generosity and support.
We need Christmas more than ever this year and we’re thrilled to spread some festive cheer whilst supporting our local communities. We would like to wish all our customers a very safe and happy Christmas.”
Joanne McMaster, Supporter Fundraising Manager at NSPCC Northern Ireland said: “Christmas is already a difficult time for children suffering abuse, neglect and poor mental health and this year it follows months of uncertainty. Our Childline service is here for children and families every day, even on Christmas Day. This year more than ever we have worked to support everyone who has been isolated from their usual sources of support and we are committed to ensuring we are there for children when they need us.
Lidl Northern Ireland’s annual Trolley Dash initiative is a real highlight in our ongoing partnership with the retailer. It’s a great way of engaging the public with our organisation and providing some much-needed fun after what has been a difficult year for us all
Thanks to the generosity of Lidl Northern Ireland’s team and customers, the funds raised will help us be here for children this Christmas, protecting them from abuse and supporting them when they have nowhere else to turn at a time when we are needed the most.”
Since 2017, Lidl Northern Ireland has supported charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland and raised over £450,000 in funds to support the charity’s work across the region. In October 2020 the retailer announced the second extension of its charity partnership to 2022 and committed to a new fundraising target of £600,000.
For more information about Trolley Dash and for competition terms and conditions, please visit https://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/information/terms-and-conditions.
