AYRSHIRE CANCER SUPPORT BAGS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM SPAR SCOTLAND

Christmas came early for Ayrshire Cancer Support as they received an early present in the form of a cheque for £12,250 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 John Beck at SPAR Crosshouse, Kilmarnock 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. Ayrshire Cancer Support 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. Ayrshire Cancer Support has operated in Ayrshire since 1982 providing emotional support and practical help for cancer patients, their families, carers and the bereaved. The aim of the charity is to ensure that help is readily available for everyone who needs it. 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 money has been raised from the local SPAR stores in Broomhill, Glasgow, Drymen, Killearn, Thornliebank, Irvine, Kilwinning, Lawthorn, Lochwinnoch, West Kilbride, Wishaw, Bonnyton, Boswell Park, Crosshouse, Forehill, Kincaidston, Prestwick, Stonehouse, Troon, Hillfoot Road, and Whitletts, Ayr. Photograph attached shows (Front): Bill Mair Company Owned Stores Controller and Company Owned Stores Director Jamie Buchanan present a cheque to John Beck of Ayrshire Cancer Support (centre) surrounded by Area Managers and SPAR store managers from local stores who raised money for the charity.