The SPAR Group, together with the SPAR KwaZulu-Natal Distribution Centre, is a proud supporter of CANSA, a non-profit organisation that has been on the forefront of South Africa’s fight against cancer since 1931.  The origins of the DC’s support dates back to 2015, after former Group CEO Wayne Hook’s wife, Liz Hook, sadly passed away having lost her fight against the disease.

 
The SPAR KZN DC team mobilised back then and hosted a charity golf day and impromptu telethon in her honour, calling upon both suppliers and retailers to assist and/or pledge their support. The result was an incredible R1.9 million raised.
 
After careful consideration it was decided by Wayne Hook and his children that the funds should be used to revamp CANSA’s Mkhuhla Care Home, which is a home-away-from-home accommodation facility for cancer patients who live far from treatment centres, but need to undergo ongoing treatment.
 
The care home provides 24-hour support to patients, as well as meals, comfortable beds and transportation to and from treatments, and while the support from the SPAR Group has been ongoing over the years, it is with regards to this final point, the transportation, that they are proud to have really stepped up once again (having previously done so in 2015, with the donation of a Mercedes Benz Vito).
 
In a celebratory event held at the SPAR KwaZulu-Natal DC on 27 July 2022, CEO of SPAR South Africa, Max Oliva and SPAR KZN Marketing Executive, Menelisi Luthuli welcomed Mr Bugs Pancha (CANSA BoD Member), Wayne Hook and members of the CANSA and Mkhuhla Care Home teams, to hand over the keys to a Mercedes Benz Vito 116DI Crewbus (valued at R350 000), so that they could continue to provide safe and comfortable transportation support to the patients in their care. It was a spirited morning, filled with speeches, smiles, conversation, and great warmth.
 
Our thanks are extended to the whole SPAR KwaZulu-Natal DC team for their unwavering support as well as the effort put into hosting this happy event. Thanks are also extended to the CANSA team and Mkuhlua Care Home for their incredible and selfless work over the years.
 
The event was certainly a very memorable and heartfelt moment for all involved.