Shoppers across Northern Ireland were dashing through the aisles of their local Lidl Northern Ireland store as they took on the retailer’s annual charity fundraiser campaign Trolley Dash on Saturday, December 10 to bag their entire Christmas shop for free – all whilst raising vital funds for Lidl Northern Ireland’s charity partner, NSPCC.

Across Northern Ireland, a total of 41 lucky customers – one for every Lidl store across the region - took on their very own supermarket sweep, working against a two-minute timer to bag as many items as possible to take home – for free!

Fermanagh woman Pauline Fox from Newtownbutler was the lucky winner of Lidl’s Lisnaskea store and walked away with a festive feast worth £551.

Now in its eighth year, Lidl Northern Ireland’s flagship Trolley Dash charity initiative raised more than £90,000 for charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland which will help fund the delivery of vital services for children in need right across the region.

In the Fermanagh area, generous shoppers raised almost £7,000 in vital charity funds by supporting Trolley Dash ticket sales – with all proceeds going directly to NSPCC.

Gordon Cruikshanks, Head of Sales Operations at Lidl Northern Ireland, commented:“As a local family supermarket retailer, we’re committed to supporting communities right across the region and one of the key ways in which we do this is through our well-established charity partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland. Each year, Trolley Dash is the highlight event in our charity fundraising calendar for both our customers and our colleagues. It’s tremendous fun and customers really get behind the initiative, going above and beyond to show their support.

Operating Childline bases in Belfast and Foyle, NSPCC Northern Ireland supports children across the region and works to prevent abuse, help rebuild children’s lives and support families. In a partnership spanning five years, Lidl Northern Ireland has surpassed its original pledge to raise more than 600,000 for NSPCC Northern Ireland. Lidl is working towards a new pledge amount of £1.1 million by 2024.

Commenting on the success of the fundraiser and highlighting the partnership spanning over 5 years Joanne McMaster, Supporter Fundraising Manager at NSPCC Northern Ireland, said: “This can be one of the most difficult times of the year for young people who are suffering from abuse, neglect, or poor mental health and without fundraising we wouldn’t be able to provide the vital services we provide to support children in need.

We’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even on Christmas Day to support all children who need the support of our specialist services, or simply someone to talk to. Staffed by our keyworkers and volunteer counsellors, NSPCC’s Childline services answer a call every 25 seconds from a child.”