We’re delighted to announce that our corporate partnership with supermarket giant Morrisons has already raised £1 million for Together for Short Lives and families up and down the UK caring for a seriously ill child. We look back the last four months and celebrate the incredible fundraising achievements that we’ve seen take place.
“When we heard that we were Morrisons next charity partner we were stunned into silence…and then very quickly screamed the place down,” says Lucy Crisp, Head of Corporate Partnerships. “We knew this was the start of something incredible that would make a lasting difference to children’s hospices across the UK, and to all the seriously ill children and their families who need Together for Short Lives’ support.”
That was back in November 2021. Fast forward to 15 February 2022 and the partnership was launched with a flurry of social and media coverage and the first in-store fundraiser: The Butterfly Bonanza. “It was an incredible feeling to see the Together for Short Lives butterfly in Morrisons stores up and down the country – we were so proud, and grateful!” says Lucy.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen popped into his local Morrisons store for a game of ‘I went to my supermarket…‘ and Every Pack Gives Back launched in stores with customers purchasing products involved in the initiative raising an incredible £264,034.
Morrisons stores have been ‘twinned’ with their local children’s hospice – and it’s been amazing to see Morrisons Community Champions and colleagues building relationships with the hospice fundraising teams and getting out to visit their local hospice. Champs from six Morrisons stores visited their twinned children’s hospice James Hopkins Trust recently and were overwhelmed by how incredible it was.
The fundraising has gone from strength to strength in last four months and we’ve loved seeing the creative and innovative ways that Morrisons colleagues have been raising vital funds. There’s been glamorous black tie gala events, brave skydives, fun golf days, tough mudders and incredible in-store fundraisers. (Not long till the next one – The Summer Carnival is in stores 11-24 July so pop in and get involved!).
We’re massively grateful that many of the fundraising activities have been match funded by the Morrisons Foundation which supports colleagues in raising money for charities including Together for Short Lives. Colleagues will soon be embarking on a 28km trek across the Peak District to raise the next million, and graduates are taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
We’re so proud to be able to say that the partnership has already raised £1 million for Together for Short Lives and children’s hospices across the UK. In just four months! Watch our film that shows where the money could go and hear from mum Emily, supported by Keech Hospice Care, and what this means to her.
“Thank you so much, this really means so much to families like mine. It will help make important things happen for children’s hospices and Together for Short Lives.”
Mum Emily to Amelia
Together for Short Lives CEO, Andy Fletcher said:
“The creativity and enthusiasm shown by Morrisons colleagues up and down the country during the first four months of our partnership has been just amazing! A huge thank you from Together for Short Lives to everyone who has worked so hard to reach the £1 million milestone – it will make such a difference to families caring for a seriously ill child.”
Morrisons CEO, David Potts says:
“We’re pleased to have reached the £1 million milestone for Together for Short Lives. Our colleagues and customers are passionate about raising vital funds for local children’s hospices so that they can provide seriously ill children and their families with opportunities to spend very highly valued time together.”
We can’t wait to see what is ahead for this partnership! Thank you Morrisons – we think you are amazing!
