GroceryAid
{{Infobox organization
|image=GroceryAid logo.jpg
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| formation = 1857
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| type = Charitable organisation
| headquarters = Sandhurst, UK
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| name = GroceryAid
| full_name = National Grocers Benevolent Fund
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| registration_id = No 1095897 (England & Wales) & SC039255 (Scotland)
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| region = United Kingdom
| website = https://www.groceryaid.org.uk/
}}
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.{{cite web|title=National Grocers Benevolent Fund|url=http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1095897&SubsidiaryNumber=0|website=Charity Commission|publisher=Charity Commission|accessdate=23 November 2015}}{{cite web|title=Scottish Charity Register|url=http://www.oscr.org.uk/charities/search-scottish-charity-register/charity-details?number=SC039255#results|website=OSCR|publisher=OSCR|accessdate=23 November 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222075118/http://www.oscr.org.uk/charities/search-scottish-charity-register/charity-details?number=SC039255#results|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title = GroceryAid {{!}} Retired - Employment, Trades & Professions Charities {{!}} Charity Directory - Charity Choice|url = http://www.charitychoice.co.uk/groceryaid|website = www.charitychoice.co.uk|accessdate = 2015-11-30}} Founded in 1857 the National Grocers Benevolent Fund has been trading under the GroceryAid name since October 2012.{{cite web|title=Our History|url=https://www.groceryaid.org.uk/about-us/our-history/|website=GroceryAid|publisher=GroceryAid|accessdate=20 November 2015}} 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 in the autumn of 2012 became known as GroceryAid.{{cite web|last1=Fortune|first1=Aidan|title=Caravan and Sweet charity merge to form GroceryAid|url=http://www.conveniencestore.co.uk/news/caravan-and-sweet-charity-merge-to-form-groceryaid/233051.article|website=Convenience Store'|publisher=Convenience Store'|accessdate=20 November 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Colombini|first1=Dan|title=Caravan and Sweet Merge to Make One Food Charity|url=http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Business-News/Caravan-and-Sweet-merge-to-make-one-food-charity|website=FoodManufacture.co.uk|accessdate=20 November 2015}}{{cite web|title=Analysis: The difference a name makes|url=http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/analysis-difference-name-makes/communications/article/1218273|website=Third Sector|publisher=Third Sector|accessdate=23 November 2015}} There are seven regional Branches which help to raise funds for the charity across the UK. There are also two Network Awareness Groups in which industry colleagues focus on raising awareness of the charity.
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 available by freephone and via online live chat.{{cite web|last1=Noice|first1=Chris|title=GroceryAid Welfare Helpline: Support for Convenience Retailers|url=http://www.acs.org.uk/groceryaid-welfare-helpline-support-convenience-retailers|website=The Association of Convenience Stores|publisher=The Association of Convenience Stores|accessdate=20 November 2015}}{{Cite web|title = GroceryAid - Helpline - Helplines Partnership|url = https://helplines.org/helplines/groceryaid-helpline/|website = Helplines Partnership|accessdate = 2015-11-30|language = en-US}}
The charity, in September 2015, partnered with Relate, which provides free relationship support.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/groceryaid_partners_with_relate_to_offer_relationship_support_30-09-15/|title=GroceryAid partners with Relate to offer relationship support {{!}} The Retail Bulletin, Retail News|website=www.theretailbulletin.com|accessdate=2015-11-30}}{{Cite web|url=http://relate-nottingham.org.uk/2015/10/groceryaid/|title=GroceryAid {{!}} Relate – The relationship people|website=relate-nottingham.org.uk|accessdate=2015-11-30}}
People
In February 2016, Gillian M. Barker announced that she would retire from GroceryAid later in the year, after 14 years with the charity.{{Cite web|title = GroceryAid boss to retire|url = http://www.slrmag.co.uk/groceryaid-boss-to-retire/|website = Scottish Local Retailer Magazine|access-date = 2016-02-24}}
In June 2016, Steve Barnes was announced as Gillian's successor.{{Cite web|url=http://www.talkingretail.com/category-news/people-moves/groceryaid-appoints-new-director-general/|title=GroceryAid appoints new director general|website=Talking Retail|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-06}}
Andrew Moore, Chief Merchandising Officer at Asda took over as President of the Fundraising Committee in April 2016.{{Cite web|title = Andrew Moore appointed GroceryAid president of fundraising|url = http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/people/people-news/andrew-moore-appointed-groceryaid-president-of-fundraising/532126.article?rtnurl=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/#|website = TheGrocer.co.uk|access-date = 2016-02-24}} Moore replaced Jason Tarry, Chief Product Officer at Tesco who was President from April 2015 to March 2016.{{Cite web|title = Tesco's Jason Tarry becomes GroceryAid fundraising president|url = http://www.talkingretail.com/category-news/people-moves/tescos-jason-tarry-becomes-groceryaid-fundraising-president/|website = Talking Retail|accessdate = 2015-11-30}}{{Cite web|title = Tesco's Jason Tarry takes over as fundraising president at GroceryAid {{!}} The Retail Bulletin, Retail News|url = http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/tescos_jason_tarry_takes_over_as_fundraising_president_at_groceryaid_17-02-15/|website = www.theretailbulletin.com|accessdate = 2015-11-30}}
At the beginning of 2017 GroceryAid unveiled two new Directorial appointments. Jane Hill started as Fundraising Director while Mandi Leonard replaced Cathy Mercer as Welfare Director in the Spring of 2017.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/people/people-news/jane-hill-and-mandi-leonard-join-groceryaid-leadership-team/548345.article|title=Jane Hill and Mandi Leonard join GroceryAid leadership team|last=Riley|first=Lisa|access-date=2017-02-13|language=en|newspaper=TheGrocer.co.uk}}
It was announced in May 2017 that Andrew Higginson, Chairman of Wm Morrison plc, would become GroceryAid President replacing Andrew Moore who was a year in the role. In a new move, GroceryAid named a Vice President in Charles Wilson, Chief Executive of Booker Ltd and David Wheeler, Head of Finance and Logistics at J Sainsbury plc was appointed as Treasurer.{{Cite news|url=http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/People/Grocery-charity-appoints-new-president|title=GroceryAid appoints new president|last=FoodManufacture.co.uk|work=FoodManufacture.co.uk|access-date=2017-06-01|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishgrocer.co.uk/2017/05/wheeler-steps-in-as-groceryaid-treasurer/|title=Wheeler steps in as GroceryAid treasurer {{!}} Scottish Grocer & Convenience Retailer|website=www.scottishgrocer.co.uk|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-01}}
Life Patrons: Lord Mark Price, Mike Coupe and Paul Monk.
Events
GroceryAid operates an annual fundraising calendar in the UK.
This includes:
File:Kevin Keegan speaks at the 2016 GroceryAid Sporting Heroes Luncheon.jpg
- The Sporting Lunch, first held in 1965.{{cite web|last1=Norton|first1=Nick|title=GroceryAid raises 320,000 with Sporting Heroes Luncheon|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/people/people-news/groceryaid-raises-320000-with-sporting-heroes-luncheon/527700.article|website=The Grocer|publisher=The Grocer|accessdate=20 November 2015}}
- The President's Carol Concert held annually at St Luke's Church in Chelsea, London.
- GroceryAid Ball, which raised over £500k in 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/people/community/groceryaid-raises-more-than-500k-at-annual-gala-ball/564525.article|title=GroceryAid raises more than £500k at annual gala ball|last=Bright|first=Emily|work=TheGrocer.co.uk|access-date=2018-03-22|language=en}}
- The Windermere Row, a team-building event set in the Lake District .{{cite web|title=Windermere Row|url=https://www.groceryaid.org.uk/get-involved/national-and-branch-events/windermere-row|website=GroceryAid|publisher=GroceryAid|accessdate=20 November 2015}}
- Barcode Festival, new for 2018.
- Challenge events; such as Tough Mudder and a London to Paris ride, finishing at the Eiffel Tower.{{Cite web|title = "Great Tour" cyclists reach Wirral peninsula|url = http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/great-tour-cyclists-reach-wirral-3398996|website = liverpoolecho|accessdate = 2015-12-07}}
In addition to this, GroceryAid have a number of regional branches holding events across the country to raise further funds for the charity.
GroceryAid introduced its Achievement Awards in 2007/8 to recognise companies, large or small, who currently support the charity.{{Cite web|title = GroceryAid Achievement Awards 2015 Gold Winner :: Bestway Cash & Carry|url = https://www.bestway.co.uk/news.php?id=999|website = www.bestway.co.uk|accessdate = 2015-12-21}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.weetabixfoodcompany.co.uk/press/news-archive/groceryaid-achievement-awards-2015-gold-winner|title=Weetabix: GroceryAid Achievement Awards 2015 Gold Winner|last=|first=|date=|website=www.weetabix.co.uk|publisher=|access-date=|accessdate=2016-07-21}}
References
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External links
- [http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1095897&SubsidiaryNumber=0 Charity Commission]
- [http://www.oscr.org.uk/charities/search-scottish-charity-register/charity-details?number=SC039255#results Scottish Charity Register] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222075118/http://www.oscr.org.uk/charities/search-scottish-charity-register/charity-details?number=SC039255#results |date=2015-12-22 }}