Charity dash at Dalkeith store turns groceries into support for local families
A Midlothian resident has helped channel fresh support to a national children's hospice charity after a rapid-fire shopping challenge at a Dalkeith supermarket. Rowanne Moir completed a five‑minute dash at Aldi Dalkeith, raising £437.40 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and collecting goods of the same value to take home. The retailer confirmed it would match the total value of the haul, directing the proceeds to CHAS.
The activity, inspired by a well-known television format, took place on 27 June and formed part of Aldi Scotland’s ongoing Supermarket Sweep initiative. Store staff supported the winner through the countdown, with the event framed as both a light-hearted community moment and a practical way to raise funds for specialist care.
“The Aldi Supermarket Sweep was not only a great and fun experience, it was also amazing to be involved in raising money for such a wonderful charity,” said Rowanne Moir. “All the staff were amazing and made the experience fun with such fantastic support and encouragement. Thank you to the Aldi team for creating such a memorable experience.”
CHAS care across Edinburgh and the Lothians
CHAS provides care for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, delivering support at home, within its two hospices and alongside NHS teams in paediatric hospitals. The charity noted the continuing need for specialist services across Scotland and the breadth of assistance offered locally.
Rachel Hamilton, Staff Nurse at CHAS, said: “Every week in Scotland, three children die from an incurable condition. CHAS supports families through this devastating reality, providing expert care at home, in our two hospices and through CHAS/NHS teams in children’s hospitals across Scotland. In the Edinburgh and Lothians area, CHAS supports 131 families with a range of care tailored to their needs, including palliative care, respite, family support, and bereavement and spiritual care, helping families make the most of every precious moment together.”
For Midlothian households, this means access to coordinated care that can include symptom management, short breaks and emotional support. Although the Dalkeith event was modest in scale, it contributes to funding that enables these services to continue for families in the region as well as elsewhere in Scotland.
Retail partnership and matched support
Aldi Scotland described the Supermarket Sweep as a regular feature in its calendar, aligning staff engagement with fundraising. The company congratulated the Midlothian winner and underlined the charity partnership.
Tom Brearey, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Our Supermarket Sweep continues to be a highlight in the Aldi calendar, and we’re proud to partner with CHAS once again to support the incredible work they do. Congratulations to Rowanne for raising an incredible £437 for CHAS while enjoying a well-earned trolley full of Aldi favourites. CHAS is a charity very close to our hearts which does invaluable work for families in Scotland. Through initiatives like Supermarket Sweep, we are pleased to help raise both funds and awareness so they can continue delivering care and support where it is needed most.”
According to the retailer, the company matched the total value of Ms Moir’s trolley, with the value donated to CHAS. The approach turns a time-limited in‑store event into a fundraising lever, supplementing public awareness of the charity’s work with a concrete financial contribution.
Event at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Location | Dalkeith, Midlothian (Aldi) |
| Date | 27 June |
| Duration of dash | 5 minutes |
| Amount raised for CHAS | £437.40 |
| Value of goods won | £437.40 in Aldi products |
| Retailer contribution | Matched the value of the haul for CHAS |
| Local CHAS reach | 131 families supported in Edinburgh and the Lothians |
Why it matters in Midlothian
While supermarket dashes are designed to be fun, the local impact is measurable. CHAS confirms an active footprint in the Lothians, where specialist care teams work with families facing complex, often unpredictable needs. Funds drawn from community‑based efforts like the Dalkeith sweep help sustain those services — from planned respite to support around end‑of‑life care — close to where families live.
- Direct benefit to a Scotland‑wide charity with clear reach in Midlothian and neighbouring areas.
- Positive use of a retail promotion to generate funds and visibility for children’s palliative care.
- Local participation that turns a five‑minute dash into ongoing support for family services.
For shoppers in Dalkeith and across Midlothian, the event underlines the role local stores can play in community life beyond the checkout: brief moments of levity that carry a tangible dividend for families who need specialist care and support.
