Lidl Northern Ireland raises more than £20,000 for Age NI in mammoth two-week spinathon challenge

Lidl Northern Ireland announced that its dedicated store teams and shoppers across the region have raised more than £20,000 for charity partner Age NI, the leading organisation supporting older people in Northern Ireland, following the success of its fundraising spinathon challenge.

Between Friday 29th August and Sunday 14th September, colleagues from Lidl’s 43 stores across Northern Ireland, along with its Regional Distribution Centre team, collectively cycled over 17,850 KM on static bikes. Each store was challenged to complete 350 KM, with three stores participating daily over the two-week period, reaching a combined total of 1,050 KM per day - roughly the distance from Mizen Head to Malin Head.

Customers donated generously through cash buckets and online QR code donations, while Age NI representatives were present in stores throughout the campaign to raise awareness and cheer on participants.

This year’s inaugural Age NI charity spinathon is the first in-store event of its kind for Lidl Northern Ireland and follows the retailer’s Trolley Dash fundraiser which last Christmas bagged more than £75,000 in funding for the charity and saw 43 lucky shoppers win their Christmas shop. Ticket sales from the dash saw funds go towards Age NI’s vital services which tackle key challenges facing older people in Northern Ireland – from isolation and financial pressure to access to health and wellbeing services.

Over the course of the three-year partnership, Lidl Northern Ireland has pledged to raise £500,000 in support of Age NI’s services

Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director at Lidl Northern Ireland, said:

“We’re incredibly proud of our teams across Northern Ireland who went above and beyond to support our charity partner Age NI through this year’s spinathon. Every store showed amazing energy and commitment, and it was inspiring to see our colleagues and customers come together for such an important cause.

At Lidl Northern Ireland, we pride ourselves on being a leading age-inclusive retailer and this spinathon certainly brought to life our values as a company in a very tangible way for shoppers, who really got behind us and helped us smash our target.

The funds of more than £20,000 raised will make a huge difference to older people in our communities and is a great boost towards our £500,000 target. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donated and took part."

Linda Robinson, Chief Executive of Age NI, added:

“We are delighted to work with Lidl Northern Ireland over the next few years. The enthusiasm and generosity shown by Lidl staff and customers has been truly heartwarming. Every pound raised will help Age NI continue to provide vital services and support to older people across Northern Ireland, helping them stay connected, independent and valued.”

Age NI provides a wide range of services to care for, empower and support older people, including a freephone advice line offering guidance on benefits, care, housing, and health.

Through the partnership with Lidl Northern Ireland, Age NI aims to make a meaningful impact on the lives of older people, helping to combat isolation and promote wellbeing in communities across Northern Ireland.

For more information, visit lidl-ni.co.uk or follow Lidl Northern Ireland @lidlni and Age NI @age_ni.