Formation 1857 Headquarters Sandhurst, Berkshire Type Charitable organization | Region United Kingdom Founded 1857 | |
 | ||
Registration no. No 1095897 (England & Wales) & SC039255 (Scotland) Mission Making life better for grocery people in need; from factory to store, we help everyone. Website | ||
GroceryAid is a registered (1095897) benevolent society for people from all over the United Kingdom who have worked, or are working in the grocery industry, and who find they need extra support to get by. Founded in 1857 the National Grocers Benevolent Fund has been trading under the GroceryAid name since October 2012. In the financial year 2015/2016, GroceryAid raised £4,694,648 through its annual events and donations. Of this sum, £4,384,950 was spent on welfare support enabling GroceryAid to help more than 11,000 people in the grocery industry.The charity over the years has combined with numerous charities, including the London Grocers & Tea Dealers Federation, the Grocers Federation Benevolent Fund and the Grocers Employees National Benevolent Fund. More recently the charity merged with The Confectioners Benevolent Fund in 2012. At this time, the charity ceased to trade under the Caravan name and from autumn 2012 became known as GroceryAid. There are nine regional Branches which help to raise funds for the charity across the UK. There are also three Network Awareness Groups in which industry colleagues focus on raising awareness of the charity.
Contents
GroceryAid’s vision is: 'Everyone in need can turn to us.'
Their mission is: 'Making life better for grocery people in need. From factory to store, we help everyone.'
Their objectives are: 'Real lives. Real problems. Real help.'
Welfare
People who work, or have worked, in the grocery industry use GroceryAid for financial support and practical assistance. This includes support and guidance on health and wellbeing, personal issues, benefits, career, housing and legal issues.
GroceryAid also has a 24/7 freephone, confidential Helpline.
The charity, in September 2015, partnered with Relate, which provides free relationship support.
People
In February 2016, Gillian M. Barker announced that she would retire from GroceryAid later in the year, after 14 years with the charity.
In May 2016, Steve Barnes was announced as Gillian's successor, he officially started as Chief Executive in September 2016.
Andrew Moore, Chief Merchandising Officer at Asda took over as President of the Fundraising Committee in April 2016. Moore replaced Jason Tarry, Chief Product Officer at Tesco who was President from April 2015 to March 2016.
At the beginning of 2017 GroceryAid unveiled two new Directorial appointments. Jane Hill will become Fundraising Director while Mandi Leonard will replace Cathy Mercer as Welfare Director in Spring 2017.
Life Patrons: Sir David Reid, Lord Mark Price and Mike Coupe.
Events
GroceryAid operates an annual calendar in the UK.
This includes:
- The Sporting Heroes Luncheon, first held in 1965.
- The President’s Carol Concert held annually at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea, London.
- Annual Diamond Ball, which raised over £280k in 2016.
- The Windermere Row, set in the Lake District and now in its 35th year.
- Summer Ball, which raised over £188k in 2016.
- National 5 a side Football Tournament.
- Cycling challenges; such as a London to Paris ride, which finishes at the Eiffel Tower.
GroceryAid introduced its Achievement Awards in 2007/8 to recognise companies, large or small, who currently support the charity. The winners of Achievement Awards are celebrated each year at the Sporting Heroes Luncheon.