The SPAR convenience store chain is trialling a digital ‘Smart Poster’ in its stores in Louth that allows customers to donate to their official charity partner Make-A-Wish Ireland using their mobile telephones.
Since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people have stopped carrying cash which has had a devastating effect on the charity sector with in-person donations at an all-time low. In fact it is estimated that Irish charities could have lost out on as much as €500m over the last 15 months.
This is particularly significant for Make-A-Wish Ireland as they do not receive any government funding and is dependent on donations from the public and the support of partners like SPAR to continue granting wishes.
The new technology, Strike Pay, is a portable personal payment tech designed to make paying convenient, safe and easy for all.
Using this contactless technology, customers in SPAR stores can now simply tap their smart phones on the special posters and a web page is opened on their device. The customer can then choose to donate directly to Make-A-Wish using the Apple or Android Pay capability on their phone or input their debit/card details directly.
Susan O’Dwyer, Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish Ireland, said, “Covid-19 has had a significant impact on our wish-granting and fundraising activities. This has resulted in planned wishes having to be rescheduled and re-imagined and we currently have more than 200 seriously ill children waiting for their wishes to be granted.
“Now more than ever, these children need what Make-A-Wish can bring in the form of hope, strength, and joy. We are so grateful for the ongoing support of SPAR and by deploying this innovative Strike technology in their stores, hopefully the public will react positively and donate using the posters.”
SPAR Sales Director Colin Donnelly, said: “… As SPAR’s official Charity partner, we are passionate about supporting the Make-A-Wish mission and are delighted to trial this innovative technology in our stores, which is a great example of how technology is playing a role in helping society one tap at a time.
“Helping make these sick children’s wishes come true is a way to give them hope and strength for their individual journeys and SPAR is proud to play whatever part we can.”
Mr. Donnelly also revealed that since adopting Make-A-Wish as their official charity partner in 2019, SPAR Retailers have raised nearly €300,000. SPAR has also announced that it is extending its partnership for a third year.
As well as the new in-store donation capability, SPAR will continue to make a contribution from the sale of selected SPAR Own Brand products and, Covid-19 restrictions allowing, a number of fundraising activities later this year and into 2022.
