Abbey Centre store shows support for Action Cancer

The donation of £10,000 was made in recognition of the volunteering efforts of Newtownabbey colleague Pat McConvey as part of an overall £2 million donation to good causes for M&S’s Christmas campaign.

As well as shining a light on a number of charities as chosen by actors including Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Julie Walters, Oliva Colman and Tom Hardy, who have added their voices to nine new Christmas food ads, M&S Food has selected 10 colleagues from across the UK who are its most active charity volunteers, with donations of £10,000 going towards the colleagues’ chosen charities.

Pat McConvey, hospitality manager responsible for the cafe and bakery at M&S Abbey Centre, has been chosen for his dedication to Action Cancer and the £10,000 donation will go towards alleviating the stress of a cancer diagnosis, compounded by the additional mental health impact of the Covid pandemic.

The funds will enable Action Cancer to provide counselling, scar tissue therapy and a range of therapeutic interventions to children as young as five and adults living with a cancer diagnosis or a family member.

Pat, who has worked at M&S for 38 years said: “I’m thrilled to have been chosen by M&S Food to donate £10,000 to my chosen charity.

“At M&S we’re proud of the role we play in our local community and it’s fantastic we can donate a monumental amount, especially during these unprecedented times. 2020 has been a difficult year for all of us and we are thrilled to support our brilliant

charity partner, Action Cancer.

“It is really important to me to give back to the charity that supported my mum three years ago.”

Conor McLoughlin, M&S Abbey Centre store Mmanager added: “We are very proud of the amazing charity work Pat has done over the years and I am thrilled M&S Food has chosen to donate £10,000 to Action Cancer.

“The work Action Cancer does in our local community is incredibly important and it’s fantastic we have been able to support them during these times.

“Pat’s family has been directly affected by cancer and I know the hard work he puts in to support the charity is a way of giving back and thanking them for their support of his mum.”

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