Lidl Tullamore Trolley Dash winner bags over €420 worth of festive goodies

One lucky shopper in Lidl Tullamore recently had the chance to grab as much off the shelves as possible in two minutes, and keep it for free.

Lidl Tullamore Trolley Dash winner Stephen Carroll took home over €420 worth of the store's festive food and treats to enjoy over the Christmas season.

Lidl Ireland's Christmas Trolley Dash saw one winner in each of Lidl’s 182 stores nationwide completed a two-minute supermarket sweep-style dash, with Stephen winning the opportunity in Tullamore.

The initiative raised €314,123 for its new charity partner, Family Carers Ireland, including more than €8,400 from Offaly customers, with 100% of the proceeds raised supporting family carers and young carers across the country.

Since its launch in 2014, Lidl Ireland’s Trolley Dash has raised more than €2.5 million for its charity partners, with winners also taking home thousands of euros worth of Lidl’s festive food and treats to enjoy.

In November, Lidl unveiled its new official charity partner, Family Carers Ireland, which provides free supports and services for carers, such as guidance on rights and entitlements, peer support networks, learning and education, emergency care planning, respite, counselling, young carer support and more.

Commenting on the success of this year’s campaign, Lidl Ireland Corporate Affairs Director Eimear O’Sullivan said:"We are proud to announce that this year’s Trolley Dash has raised an incredible €314,123 for Family Carers Ireland, marking a fantastic start to our new three-year charity partnership.”

“Trolley Dash is our flagship fundraising initiative, and it’s wonderful to see our customers and employees coming together to support such an important cause.

“We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to everyone who participated in and supported this year’s dashes. I’d also like to say a massive well done to our 182 lucky Trolley Dash winners who took on the challenge in their local stores this past weekend."

Lidl has committed to raising €1 million in funds over the next three years for Family Carers Ireland. As the first large-scale fundraising activity since the partnership announcement, Trolley Dash is set to give the new partnership a significant boost.

Family Carers Ireland Head of Communications and Policy Catherine Cox said:"We would like to thank Lidl Ireland, its employees and its customers for their unwavering support and this substantial Trolley Dash donation.”

“We are blown away by the generosity of those who supported the Trolley Dash campaign, especially in these challenging times. This incredible total raised which will be transformative in enabling us to continue delivering our vital services in support of family carers across the country.

“Family Carers Ireland’s mission is to ensure that family carers are properly recognised, supported and empowered so that no one has to care alone, and these funds will go a long way in supporting some of our services and in raising awareness of family carers in our communities, our charity and the work that we do.”

For more information about Lidl Ireland’s Trolley Dash initiative, please visit www.lidl.ie