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ONE STOP

One Stop raises a record amount for Children in Need

Almost of the symbol group’s stores took part in the fundraising appeal.

One Stop has raised more than £130,000 for Children in Need in just six weeks, smashing fundraising campaigns from previous years.

The symbol group started its Children in Need fundraising appeal a month early, with almost every store across its 900 core and franchise estate taking part.

Liz Fox, Head of Sustainability & Social Responsibility at One Stop, said: “The stores themselves came up with a huge array of fundraising ideas from tombolas and fancy-dress days, to ‘sponge the store manager’ and raffles. We also had ideas generated at head office, including a ‘Pedal for Pudsey’ cycling challenge where stores each had a different target – some 100 miles, some teams doing 300. They did their cycling instore – via static bikes - or within the community, all helping to raise awareness and funds.

“We’ve also had stores working together including colleagues across three stores from Sheffield who raised over £2,000 in six hours at Meadowhall Shopping Centre. They did such a great job that they even inspired the centre to turn the roof yellow with lights to celebrate Children in Need.”

Money raised will be able to stay locally to where each store is based as Children in Need has a postcode locator enabling donations to go straight to causes within their own areas.

In addition, One Stop has a large range of merchandise that it sells to help raise money, including a water bottle and crystal-encrusted gold Pudsey Bear pens. Many stores also had merchandise featuring Pudsey Bear’s girlfriend Blush.

Fox added: “Our stores have proved that together we can make a difference and the passion and drive I’ve seen has been absolutely brilliant. We’re beaming with pride that we’ve been able to raise this amount which will go such a long way to helping children who so desperately need it.”