Around 100 A.F. Blakemore employees volunteered more than 800 hours of their time and made a positive difference to their communities as part of Business in the Community’s national day of volunteering, Give & Gain Day 2016.

Employee volunteers from a number of the SPAR Partner’s departments took part in a variety of community volunteering events alongside hundreds of businesses across the UK in support of Give & Gain Day, which is now in its ninth year.

Employees from across the company’s South Wales operation, which encompasses Blakemore Logistics, Trade Partners, IT and HR, spent a total of two days restoring the outdoor space at Penygraig Junior School. Over the two days the team replaced hanging baskets, re-painted all decking and fencing, and supplied flowers and bedding plants.

Commenting on the volunteering effort, team leader Ryan Ware said: “Considering it was my first community project, I was extremely nervous going into it but with tremendous support leading up to the project and having an amazing team of volunteers, we got through it and completed what we set out to do, even in the torrential downpour.

“Everyone put in 100%, got soaked to the bone and worked through the terrible conditions which paid off as the school looked amazing when we were done. I’d like to say a massive thank you to all my volunteers who made my first project a success.”

Meanwhile, in North Wales two teams totalling 50 employees from Blakemore Retail SPAR Wrexham, Gresford, Llangollen and Gwersyllt spent the day at Ty Mawr Country Park and the Leonard Cheshire Disability Group.

Residents at the Leonard Cheshire Adult Disability Group took part in an ‘It’s a Knockout’ style fun day where games such as skittles, inflatable darts, tin can alley, balloon volleyball and jumbo tennis were played.

In the North East of England a team of four volunteers from Blakemore Wholesale Gateshead re-decorated an area at Bede’s World in Jarrow, Tyne & Wear.

Finally, two teams from A.F. Blakemore’s Accounts Department ran athletics events for secondary school students from across the Black Country at Tipton Sports Academy.

A.F. Blakemore Community Affairs Officer, Liz Bell said: “I am delighted that A.F. Blakemore once again got involved in Give & Gain Day. As a business with strong links in the local community, it is great for our employees to get out of their normal work environment and work as a team. I believe that volunteering in the community is a fantastic way for our employees to learn new skills that they can take back to the workplace.”

Business in the Community Chief Executive Stephen Howard added:

“Give & Gain Day is an opportunity for businesses, community organisations and schools to celebrate what can be achieved through the power of volunteers. Employee volunteering is a win win, the experience builds skills and motivates employees, whilst helping meet community needs.”