The RNIB is celebrating a partnership with Top 50 Indie Rontec that has raised £250,000 for the charity in just six months.

The RNIB’s Pennies scheme, which ran across the group’s 160 Shop’ N Drive stores, gave customers the option to “top-up” credit or debit cards transactions with a 25p donation to the charity.

RNIB has operated Pennies with other retailers, but Rontec was the first forecourt operator to become involved.

Bill Ahearn, managing director of Rontec, said: “The Rontec and RNIB Pennies partnership was a first for petrol retailers. Rontec was the first petrol retailer in the UK to sign up to the scheme, and we raised an amazing £250,000 in a very short time. Our loyal customers were very generous, which created a win for everybody.

“Blind people were supported through a significant donation to RNIB’s work, and Rontec had yet another opportunity to give back to the communities in which it operates. I was very pleased with the programme, and hope that other petrol retailers see how beneficial it is to give back to their communities as we have done.”

Wanda Hamilton, fundraising group director at the RNIB, said Rontec staff had been really enthusiastic about the scheme and there had been RNIB branding on pumps and in the shops. She added: “Generous motorists have been rounding their petrol purchases up with a 25p donation to RNIB. The partnership has raised over an amazing £250,000 which will make a real and lasting difference to thousands of people affected by sight loss across the country.

“We would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Shop’ N Drive and Rontec for the enthusiasm and energy they have shown in promoting our partnership.”

She said the Pennies scheme was simple for retailers to operate and was an excellent way for retailers to demonstrate CSR (corporate social responsibility) in partnership with their customers.

Following the success of the Rontec initiative she said the charity was keen to partner with other forecourt groups. She invited anyone who was interested in the scheme to email her at: wanda.hamilton@rnib.org.uk

Topics