Supermarket that serves up surprises

SDN have been given another generous donation – but it is not so much the amount as the circumstances that make this one very special. The amount is £100 and the giver, indirectly, is everybody in Shropshire and Powys.

Our arch fund-raiser Ruby Hartshorn had applied earlier in the year for support from the Harry Tuffins supermarket group, which have several stores along the border and last year became part of the Midcounties Co-operative.

A letter duly arrived inviting Ruby along to the Churchstoke store to receive a cheque. Little did she realise what a wonderful afternoon awaited.

There were 101 cheques to be presented to community groups of all sizes and persuasions throughout the region, from disability groups to the Scouts, from pre-schools to over-60s clubs. While the supermarket went on with its daily work of serving customers, one end of the vast room was buzzing with excitement, plus mince pies, chocolates and mulled wine, as representatives from the many groups gathered.

Tuffins had £42,384 give away – the result of the company’s annual Fun Day in August – and they really did it in style. Most of it was being presented at Churchstoke by the Chief Executive of Midcounties Co-operative Ltd Ben Reid OBE and the former owner of Harry Tuffins Roy Delves. Two similar but smaller events were also planned for other stores.

The generosity was wonderful and the presentation stylish, but what made it all possible was the fact that every year Tuffins turn their many managing and retailing skills to work creating the Fun Day. And they must be pretty good at their job. To raise more than £40,000 in not much more than an afternoon is a tall order! Tuffins really live up to their claim to be rooted in the community.