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Published
Mar 23, 2020
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M&S in major charity initiative with Neighbourly Community Fund

Published
Mar 23, 2020

Marks & Spencer is leading fundraising efforts for charities that are helping those in need during the health crisis with a new partnership with Neighbourly.



Neighbourly is a platform that connects community projects and charities with businesses and individuals.

Marks & Spencer will donate £100,000 to start the Neighbourly Community Fund, with the money going to Neighbourly’s network of hundreds of charities and community groups across the UK.

Customers can also support the initiative by selecting the Neighbourly Community Fund as their Sparks charity. Every time an M&S shopper uses their Sparks loyalty card to shop in-store or online, the retailer gives a penny to their chosen cause. To date, the scheme has seen over £6 million donated to various charities.

In addition to this, all surplus food and flowers at M&S stores will be redistributed to charities and organisations via the Neighbourly platform. 

Steve Rowe, CEO of M&S commented: "One of the things that makes me most proud to work at M&S is the role we play in our local communities. 

“We can’t do this on our own and so we partner with organisations like Neighbourly who link our stores to local causes so we can donate surplus food and non-food products to the people who really need it. This fund will help mobilise over 1,000 local charities and organisations across the UK to support the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Zoe Colosimo, COO of Neighbourly added: “Community organisations are coming under immense pressure and need support now more than ever. Immediate funding can help give immediate peace of mind that they can take urgent action to support the most vulnerable in our society. We know needs will evolve as we move through this crisis - from loneliness to hunger to financial concern, but we’re all in this together and we must keep working together.”

M&S, which has seen substantial sales declines across its Clothing and Home businesses over the past few days, revealed on Friday that it will reduce non-essential spending, freeze non-essential recruitment and reduce marketing spend to face the crisis.

Alongside the Neighbourly Community Fund, Marks & Spencer has announced a donation of £100,000 to the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal.

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