More than £1m was donated to good causes across the UK through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity in 2021.
Nisa retailers supported local charities and community groups with 2,060 donations, totalling £1,055,227, demonstrating their continued commitment to supporting their local communities.
To monitor how donations made will benefit different aspects of community life, Making a Difference Locally donations are each categorised into different areas such as health and wellbeing, education and employment, good food and nutrition, shelter and security, and many more.
Last year saw the addition of a new category – strengthened communities – which included 297 donations made by Nisa partners, totalling £173,755, to help build stronger communities through funding shared community spaces, activities, events and projects.
One such example was a donation of £1,250 from Levens Village Shop, in Kendal, to fund the catering for a local event, a ceilidh aimed at bringing the community together for fun and socialising following the lifting of Covid restrictions.
Kate Carroll, Nisa’s Head of Charity, said: “We’re delighted that communities have benefited from donations totalling more than £1m over the last 12 months, as the funding given by our independent retailers will make a significant difference for many small charities and community groups, who often rely on the support of local people and businesses to remain open.
“MADL collecting tins and the newly-launched clothing banks and digital donations have been valuable in raising additional funds in partner stores over the last year and enabling Nisa shoppers to support good causes they care about.”
Since its formation in 2008, Making a Difference Locally has raised more than £14m and supported charities and other good causes with more than 15,000 donations, with recipients including foodbanks, hospices, youth sports teams, and community groups.
