Lucky Tipperary Trolley Dasher scoops €340 of goodies as county raises over €15k for charity

A lucky Tipperary shopper recently filled her trolley with over €340 of free festive goodies and treats in just two minutes in Lidl’s annual Trolley Dash.

Lidl Tipperary Trolley Dash winner Maris Reale took home over €340 worth of festive food and treats for her and her family to enjoy over the Christmas season after completing a two-minute supermarket sweep-style dash to fill her trolley. 

The Christmas Trolley Dash has raised €314,123 for its new charity partner, Family Carers Ireland, including more than €15,700 from Tipperary customers. 

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

The fundraising initiative received widespread support from Lidl shoppers across Ireland, with 100% of the proceeds raised supporting family carers and young carers across the country.

"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,” said Eimear O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director at Lidl Ireland.

“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," she finished.

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.

Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy, Family Carers Ireland, 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.”

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 award-winning festive food and treats to enjoy over the festive season.