Lidl Ireland has smashed its fundraising target for its official charity partner Family Carers Ireland, raising over €1 million in just the first year of the partnership—a goal originally set to be achieved over three years.
In November 2024, Lidl Ireland announced its new charity partnership with Family Carers Ireland, pledging to raise €1 million by 2027 to support more than half a million family carers across the country. Today, the retailer announced it has reached this significant milestone a full two years ahead of schedule thanks to the immense generosity of Lidl shoppers and the dedicated fundraising efforts of its employees.
Led by a dedicated team of 190 appointed and trained 'Charity Champions' - one from every Lidl store in Ireland - employees across all stores, Head Office in Tallaght, Dublin, and three regional distribution centres in Charleville, Newbridge and Mullingar, rallied in support of fundraising initiatives.
A major highlight in the fundraising calendar is the retailer’s popular annual Christmas Trolley Dash fundraiser which last year raised over €270,000 for the charity. Lidl Ireland store teams further hosted in-store fundraisers and completed two regional spinathons to engage customers in supporting its fundraising target.
Additionally, Lidl stores across the country supported Family Carers Ireland’s milestone awareness week, launching its emotive ‘We Care Back’ campaign to support National Carers Week in June. Through this campaign, Lidl amplified the reach of Family Carers Ireland’s ‘Heart of Gold’ initiative, fostering community recognition by selling ‘Heart of Gold’ pins in all Lidl stores to fund practical lifelines for those who give so much.
Innovating how customers can support the partnership, Lidl Ireland was the first retailer to launch a new function on its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) machines across all stores. This feature empowers shoppers to ‘recycle with purpose’ by giving them the option to donate their deposit refunds directly to Family Carers Ireland, providing a convenient way to support the charity while helping the environment. To date this feature has raised over €100,000 for family carers across the country.
Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our partnership with Family Carers Ireland and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the incredible Lidl colleagues and shoppers who have supported us in reaching our fundraising goal.
“To hit our three-year target of €1 million in just one year is a testament to the generosity of our communities and the hard work of our teams during events like our regional spinathons and the annual Trolley Dash. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without their help, and we are now looking forward to seeing how much further we can go to support the hidden frontline of carers across Ireland.”
Since partnering with the charity, the money raised by Lidl has supported vital services provided by Family Carers Ireland, including the National Freephone Careline, respite care, counselling and peer support groups, ensuring family carers receive the practical support they need.
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland, added:
“Raising an extraordinary €1 million in such a short space of time is a remarkable achievement and a powerful show of solidarity with family carers across Ireland. This commitment shown by Lidl colleagues and customers has made a real and immediate difference.
These vital funds enable us to deliver essential support, from crisis intervention to much needed respite, at a time when family carers are under unprecedented pressure. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed. Your support is helping to ensure that family carers are seen, valued and supported and recognises that no one should have to care alone.”
