CLAN BAGS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM SPAR SCOTLAND

Christmas came early for Cancer Link Aberdeen North (CLAN) as they received an early present in the form of a cheque for £10,000 from local SPAR stores owned and operated by C J Lang and Son Limited. CJ Lang and Son Ltd Company Owned Stores Director Jamie Buchanan presented the cheque to Susan Christie at SPAR St Machar Drive, Aberdeen on Monday. The monies donated have been raised through the sale of carrier bags in the many SPAR convenience stores owned and operated by SPAR Scotland wholesaler and retailer CJ Lang and Son Limited. The funds generated from the sale of every single use carrier bag in store are donated to charity. The scheme, where bags are sold at 2p, has been running since September 2008 and has so far raised a staggering £112,000 for a variety of local Scottish charities including £60,000 for Scottish kids charity CHILDREN 1ST. Jamie Buchanan, Company Owned Stores Director commented: “£112,000 is an enormous amount of money to have raised we will be sharing this with the many well deserving charities throughout Scotland. Cancer Link Aberdeen North was the charity of choice within the local community and we are delighted to be able to donate money back into the local areas surrounding our stores.” Not only has the Dundee group been raising much needed funds for charity but they have been doing their bit for the environment. The 2p carrier bag scheme highlights the idea of reusing and recycling carrier bags. Indeed, SPAR stores also stock a range of alternatives to single use bags such as Reusable, Black Woven and Jute Bags. The knock on effect of charging for carrier bags is that it encourages customers to recycle or use reusable bags therefore producing less waste. The amount of carrier bags that the company have been using has been reduced by 48.2 % percent since the scheme started in September 2008, a win - win situation all round. CLAN Cancer Link Aberdeen & North (CLAN) was formed in 1983 and its first support centre was at premises in Justice Mill Lane. CLAN has increased its range of services, following a holistic approach, to meet the needs of those affected by cancer, whether personally or as a carer or relative. CJ Lang and Son Limited own and operate 91 SPAR stores throughout Scotland and supply delivered wholesale goods to over 300 SPAR convenience stores across Scotland. The local SPAR stores in Aberdeen: Rosemount Viaduct, St Mcahar Drive, Midstocket, Byron Square, St Swithin Street, Torry, Victoria Road, Holburn Street, Ashgrove Road, Clifton Road, George Street, Kincorth, Mastrick as well as Peterhead, Peterculter, Stonehaven contributed to the fundraising for CLAN. Photograph attached shows: Company Owned Stores Director Jamie Buchanan presents a cheque to Susan Christie of CLAN at SPAR St Machar Drive Aberdeen.