Sainsbury’s Horsham go the extra mile

It comes after the retailer announced a fundraising total of over £6.5 million, making it the biggest corporate donation on the night and £1 million higher than the retailer’s support in 2012.

Customers and colleagues got behind Sainsbury’s Horsham fundraising activities for this year’s Sport Relief, which began with a collection at Horsham Railway Station on Friday 21st where colleagues were joined by Howie the Hornet from Horsham Football Club . Colleagues also took part in a static bike ride in the store foyer with the help of Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre which took place on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd. The Sainsbury’s colleagues and staff from Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre managed to cycle 91 miles.

The Horsham store colleagues were also collecting customer donations during a colleague flash-mob performance of Black Lace’s 70’s dance number ‘Superman’. It was part of a nationwide flash mob across all Sainsbury’s stores to help generate further funds for Sport Relief.

Along with dancing, colleagues including Dan Evershed took part in the first ever Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games Mile, in Horsham Park. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Justin King, took part in his final Sport Relief Mile challenge before he leaves the company in July.

Justin smashed his fundraising target of £70,000 by running 17 regional miles across the UK, raising over £104,000, with money still coming in. Justin’s challenge included a mile at Crawley Town Football Stadium where he ran alongside Horsham store colleague Lauren Mason.

Justin has been a great supporter for Sport Relief, having done four Sport Relief Mile Challenges since 2008.

Chief Executive Justin King said: “I’m proud to announce this year marks our biggest fundraising for Sport Relief, raising over £6.5m for the charity. I’ve enjoyed every minute - and mile of it – and it was great to run with Lauren from Horsham at my Crawley mile. This year also marks the biggest fundraising by our colleagues which shows how committed our colleagues and customers are to support a great cause.”

Sainsbury’s Horsham Store Manager, Derek Boarer added: “I’d like to thank all our customers who made a donation to Sport Relief, whether through buying this year’s merchandise or making a donation to one of our Sport Relief fundraising events in-store.

Our customers and colleagues certainly made a winning Sport Relief team and we’re delighted to have raised over £8,500 which will help transform lives in the UK and across the world”.

Report and pictures contributed by Sainsbury’s Horsham.