Adam and Kate Craigie, who run Spar stores Montgomery, have recently spent a spectacular week in South Africa after winning a place at a large Spar event there.
The event was a mix of business conferences, networking and socialising and proved a once in a lifetime experience.
The couple had entered a draw at a previous Spar event in the UK and were lucky enough to win this experience.
More than 450 people attended, including Spar UK representatives, suppliers and independent retailers.
They enjoyed some amazing activities including safaris, ziplining and traditional African activities such as a Boma dinner.
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They visited a Spar South Africa mega store in MooiNooi and, at the business conference, got to learn about the unique challenges that Spar South Africa have to face, but also how similarly Spar operates internationally.
Spar is partnered with Marie Curie in the UK, and to leave a legacy of the conference in South Africa, they also partnered with a local charity ‘It Belongs To Me’ for this event.
This is a fantastic non-profit organisation that supports and safeguards school girls and vulnerable young people in the local towns and villages from the dangers they face and the poverty they encounter whilst growing into adulthood.
A silent auction at the gala dinner on the final evening raised over £66,000 to be split equally between the two amazing causes, and SPAR Montgomery donated £500 to the cause.
Adam said: “We had the most amazing time in South Africa. We are very grateful to the people of South Africa for their amazing hospitality.
“The whole experience was just incredible and we felt very privileged to win it.”
He added: “The founder of ‘It Belongs to Me’ spoke to us during the conference; her story was so moving and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“The money raised for her charity will be life changing for her and all the people she helps.
“It felt truly amazing to be part of it.”
The town centre store will be open over the Easter weekend, 7am to 8pm each day as usual except 8am to 8pm on Sunday.
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