Last week, Boots stores in Wales celebrated Dydd Gŵyl Dewi with a series of special events, and in just one day, its customers and colleagues donated £10,000 in important funds to BBC Children in Need to help make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.

The stores’ events were focussed around how Boots colleagues can give back to their communities while supporting the traditional Welsh festivities. All stores had fresh daffodils; colleagues baked and sold Welshcakes, wore traditional Welsh costume, and colleagues took on sporting challenges against each other, customers and Pudsey Bear for sponsorship and donations to help reach the impressive total.

Helen Watkins, Area Manager for Boots in West Wales, said: “Celebrating the day of our patron saint is a real cause for community festivities across Wales, so I’m incredibly proud that our brilliant customers and colleagues channelled this into supporting an amazing charity - BBC Children in Need. Supporting disadvantaged children and young people is a cause that we all feel very passionately about, and all year round, we’ve been working hard to build stronger links in the communities that we serve every day, offering both practical and fundraising support. It’s through this and events such as St David’s Day that we know we can really make a difference.”

Several of the Boots UK stores also hosted community choirs on the day, and the Swansea store showcased a special music project run by YMCA Swansea, which is supported by BBC Children in Need. The local project provides a safe and creative environment for young people, in particular those who are marginalised and vulnerable, to belong, contribute and thrive.

BBC Children in Need currently has over £6.8 million invested in Wales, supporting some 150 projects working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the country.  Whether helping tackle poverty, working with those affected by disability, or helping groups such as local young carers, each and every penny fundraised for BBC Children in Need will go to the projects the Charity funds.

Boots UK has been in partnership with BBC Children in Need for thirteen years, and in that time, its customers and colleagues have raised millions of pounds in important funds, which will help make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people right across the UK.This is very important to Boots UK, which shares this vision with BBC Children in Need, working together to help these children reach their full potential.

Any young people interested in finding out how they can get involved in music projects at YMCA Swansea should contact 01792 652032.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors: 

For more information please contact Bethan Simmons at the Boots UK Press Office on 0115 959 1188 or bethan.simmons@boots.co.uk.

 

About Boots UK

Boots UK (boots.com), the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, is part of the Retail Pharmacy International Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise.  With 2,510* stores in the UK, Boots UK is committed to providing exceptional customer and patient care, be the first choice for pharmacy and healthcare and offer innovative 'only at Boots' exclusive products such as the UK’s leading skincare brand No7, all delivered with the great value customers love. Created over 165 years ago, the Boots brand is still at the heart of the communities it serves.

*As at 31 August 2015 excluding equity method investments

 

About BBC Children in Need

The BBC Children in Need Appeal is a charity registered in England and Wales (802052) and Scotland (SC039557) whose aim is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential.  We will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.

We are currently supporting 2,400 projects that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages for example, poverty and deprivation; children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect or disabled young people.