Posted online: Dec 7th, 2011

THE staff and customers of Kavanagh’s SuperValu in Donegal have raised a spectacular €40,100 to help the Donegal Hospice maintain their “patient-centred” vision for care. The money was raised in two ways. Staff of the four Kavanagh’s SuperValu stores in Donegal – Donegal Town, Dungloe, Ballybofey and Buncrana – organised a series of fundraising events over a six-month period, while customers donated five cent each time they shopped in a Kavanagh’s SuperValu store in Donegal by swiping their Real Rewards card.
Launched in May of this year, the “Help Us to Help Others” campaign aimed to raise €30,000 for the local Hospice but the sheer determination of management and staff ensured that they exceeded the target by a massive €10,100.
As a result, the Donegal Hospice is to be SuperValu’s charity of choice for 2012 and indeed for the coming years which was described as “as a real boost” for the facility which must raise up to €600,000 annually, reflecting 20% of the running costs.
The cheque for €40,100 was handed over to members of the Donegal Hospice at a recent presentation night in the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey, attended by up to 100 staff and management of SuperValu.
A second cheque for €821 was presented to the Donegal Hospice by the staff of SuperValu in Donegal Town, who donated a portion of their wages every week for six months.
Manager, Gareth Ferry, said: “The staff were adamant that over and above the fundraising events they wanted to go the extra mile and give generously from their own pocket. This token demonstrates the personal value that they put on this campaign.”