Retail Industry Awards guests raise £2,000 for mines clearance charity

The charity, which has been supported by members of the convenience and wholesale sector since 2015, was the official charity at this year’s awards, which took place on Tuesday night.

Sarah Tavener, head of philanthropy at MAG, said: “We raised a fantastic £2,061 during the evening. This is a great result and, once again, thank you so much.

“This kind of support is invaluable to MAG and means we can clear more landmines and unexploded bombs from conflict-affected communities around the world.”

MAG (the Mines Advisory Group) is a global humanitarian organisation, based in Manchester, which shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for its efforts during the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

It has spent 30 years finding and destroying mines, cluster munitions and unexploded bombs in places affected by war.

Members of the retail industry have supported MAG since 2015 with a series of charity cycle rides – dubbed Bikes Against Bombs – that have together raised more than £1m.

One long-term supporter is Debbie Robinson, chief executive at Central Co-op, who also won the Outstanding Achievement Award at Tuesday’s awards night.

She said: “Thank you for your continued support of MAG. The money you have raised is incredible and makes a massive difference.”

The next Bikes Against Bombs cycle ride will take place in Vietnam in 2024.

Anyone who would like to donate, can do so via its fundraising page: Vietnam Cycle Challenge 2024 – JustGiving