McKillop’s SPAR awarded prestigious community award
The team from McKillop’s SPAR were recently awarded with the Involvement in the Community Award at this year’s Ballymena Business Excellence Awards.
The ceremony for the 24th annual awards was held on 22nd October at Tullyglass Hotel.
McKillop’s SPAR, which opened 38 years ago and employs 27 people from the local area, has always been a pillar in the local community.
Over the years, the store has shown ongoing support for local primary schools, including Braidside Integrated Primary School, Kirkinriola Primary School and Castle Tower Special School, providing sports day kits annually and welcome packs for new pupils.
Eamon
McKillop, owner of McKillop’s SPAR Ballymena, has also visited local schools numerous times over the years to exhibit the best of Northern Ireland’s local food producers, giving a presentation on the health benefits of fruit and vegetables, educating the pupils on how food is harvested and information on local suppliers.
The store shows ongoing support to local sports teams and community groups with sponsorships of All Saints GAC and many events held by the Ballymena Runners including the Fairhill 5 Mile race and the Ballymena Runners Icecream Run.
The team regularly hold instore fundraising events and initiatives for SPAR NI’s charity partner Marie Curie and the Northern Ireland Hospice.
Eamon McKillop commented, “The team at McKillop’s SPAR commit time, involvement and resources throughout the year to supporting our local community. We regularly work with local schools through P1 welcome days, farm to fork storytelling and school sports days.
"We also provide sponsorships, donations, prizes, and support to local sports clubs, community events, charities and fundraising initiatives.
“For myself and our team, community involvement is more than providing sponsorships and donations, it is about building genuine relationships and making a positive difference to those in our local community every day. It allows us to build lasting, genuine connections with local people and organisations and our involvement with local schools, sports teams and community groups encourages participation, confidence and community spirit.
“We are honoured to be awarded with the Involvement in the Community Award, it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our whole team, who genuinely care and want to invest in our local community.
“Our shoppers are our neighbours, and as we approach our 40th year of the store, we look forward to continuing to invest our time and efforts into the people that make our community what it is.”