Greater Manchester stores unite to raise thousands for people battling cancer
Colleagues from 27 Tesco stores across the Greater Manchester area and beyond have joined forces to raise funds for The Christie Charity.
Tesco colleagues recently visited The Christie to present a cheque for £4,285, the result of a three-week fundraising campaign that centred on two larger-than-life soft toy penguins, affectionately named Flap and Waddle.
The penguins travelled from store to store, including Altrincham, Sale and Walkden, bringing customers, colleagues and communities together to support the patients and families helped by the charity.
The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, which is Europe’s largest single-site cancer centre, treating more than 64,000 patients a year.
Seven Tesco stores in the area also took part in the Christie Challenge, a group-wide fundraising initiative supporting the charity, with colleagues raising money through a range of activities, including static bike rides, bag-packing, colleague head shaves, book table sales, and donation collections.
Tesco Altrincham Extra has raised an £23,000 for the charity since taking part in its first challenge in 2023, under the banner ‘Altrincham vs Cancer’. Overall, the store has raised £50,000 for cancer-related causes, while Tesco Walkden Extra has raised £10,500 through its Christie Challenges, alongside support from customers and the wider community.
Anita Redfern, Community Champion at Tesco Glossop Superstore, said: “The response from our stores, colleagues and customers has been absolutely fantastic. From Flap and Waddle waddling their way across the group to the incredible long-term commitment shown by stores like Altrincham and Walkden, this is community fundraising at its very best. The Christie does life-changing work to help so many people across our region, and we are proud to play our small part in supporting them. Every pound raised has been given with love and determination.”
John Ashley, Corporate Fundraising Manager at The Christie Charity, added: “The support from the Tesco stores in the Greater Manchester area has been phenomenal. The enthusiasm and creativity involved with the fundraising has really impressed us. Every event or activity, however small or large, will contribute to the life-saving and life-changing work of the hospital. We are incredibly grateful for this support, which will impact patients and their families for years to come.”
The stores that supported this fundraising effort includes: Irlam Extra, Walkden Extra, Stretford Extra, Cheetham Hill, Failsworth Extra, Greenfield, Stalybridge, Prestwich, East Didsbury, Baguley Extra, Burnage, Glossop, Gorton Extra, Handforth Dean Extra, Middleton Extra, Farnsworth, Hattersley Extra, Sale, Blackley, Altrincham Extra, Oldham Huddersfield Road Extra, Oldham Chadderton, Levenshulme, Stockport Extra, Bolton Little Lever and Salford Extra.
For more information about The Christie Charity, visit: https://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity
For more information about the work that Tesco does in local communities, go to: https://www.tescoplc.com/sustainability/communities/community-champions/