Island Shoppers Urged To Help Raise Funds For Food Allergy Charity

Generous shoppers on the Isle of Wight are being encouraged to help an in-store fundraising campaign to support medical research into food allergies.

From 22-28 April, for the fifth year running, Tesco’s Isle of Wight stores are working with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, to help raise awareness and support clinical research into food allergies.

The stores will be contributing 10p from every own-brand Free From product bought by Isle of Wight shoppers in-store or online.

The scheme will also provide customers with the opportunity to round up their shopping at self-service tills throughout the week.

All money raised will help Natasha’s Foundation to continue its research into reducing the risks of food allergies and further developments into the management of allergies.

In addition to the funds being raised, the campaign aims to increase awareness on the Isle of Wight about the importance of understanding food allergies and highlighting ingredients in food which can cause allergic reactions.

Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said:

“The work that Natasha’s Foundation has done to date has been fantastic and we are delighted to be able to support this for a fifth year.

“There are now 175 products in our Free From range, from meals and desserts to snacks, all created with great taste but without any of the allergens.

"We welcome any shoppers on the Isle of Wight to try these products or kindly round up their shopping at the self-service tills to help raise money for a fantastic cause.”

Natasha’s Foundation was founded in 2019 by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse following the tragic loss of their daughter Natasha, who had a fatal allergic reaction to a baguette that contained sesame seeds that were not listed on the packaging.

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE said:

“We’re thrilled that Tesco is supporting us for the fifth year running. Allergen awareness is so important, and money raised in previous years has helped to fund clinical research exploring the management of food allergies.”

Natasha’s Foundation is committed to raising awareness and funds for critical food allergy research.

But the real impact of the charity’s work lies in the lives it can change.