Lidl Ireland has surpassed its three-year fundraising target for its official charity partner, Family Carers Ireland (FCI), in the first year of their partnership.
In November 2024, Lidl announced its new charity partnership with FCI, pledging to raise €1 million for the charity by 2027, to support more than half a million family carers across the country.
This week, the retailer announced it has reached this significant milestone a full two years ahead of schedule, thanks to the immense generosity of Lidl shoppers and the dedicated fundraising efforts of its employees.
Led by a team of 190 ‘charity champions’ – one from every Lidl store in Ireland – employees across all stores, the head office in Tallaght (Dublin), and three regional distribution centres – in Charleville, Newbridge and Mullingar – rallied in support of fundraising initiatives.
A major highlight in the fundraising calendar is the retailer’s popular annual Trolley Dash fundraiser, which last year raised over €270,000 for the charity.
Lidl teams further hosted in-store fundraisers and completed two regional cycling spinathons, to engage customers in supporting the fundraising target.
In addition to fundraising, Lidl stores across the country have supported the charity through an awareness week, launching its ‘We Care Back’ campaign to support National Carers’ Week in June.
Throughout this campaign, Lidl amplified the reach of FCI’s ‘Heart of Gold’ initiative, fostering community recognition by selling ‘Heart of Gold’ pins in all Lidl stores to fund lifelines for those who give so much.
Lidl also launched a function on its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) machines across all stores, allowing shoppers to donate deposits on drinks containers directly to FCI, offering a convenient way to support the charity and care for the environment.
To date, this feature has raised over €100,000 for family carers across the country.
‘How Much Further We Can Go’
Commenting on the milestone, the chief people officer at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, Maeve McCleane, said, “We are incredibly proud of our partnership with Family Carers Ireland, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the incredible Lidl colleagues and shoppers who have supported us in reaching the fundraising goal.
“To hit our three-year target of €1 million in just one year is a testament to the generosity of our communities and the hard work of our teams during events like our regional spinathons and the annual Trolley Dash.
“We couldn’t have reached this milestone without their help, and we are now looking forward to seeing how much further we can go to support the hidden frontline of carers across Ireland.”
The head of communications and policy at FCI, Catherine Cox, added, “Raising an extraordinary €1 million in such a short space of time is a remarkable achievement and a powerful show of solidarity with family carers across Ireland.
“This commitment shown by Lidl colleagues and customers has made a real and immediate difference.
“These vital funds enable us to deliver essential support, from crisis intervention to much-needed respite, at a time when family carers are under unprecedented pressure.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed.
“Your support is helping to ensure that family carers are seen, valued and supported, and recognises that no one should have to care alone.”
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