A supermarket has launched a search for the true ‘Summer Stars’ in the West Midlands, those everyday heroes who go the extra mile to help families survive the long school holidays.
Partnering with much-loved TV mum and brand ambassador, Josie Gibson, Iceland is asking communities across the UK to nominate the unsung champions who help ease the summer strain, often out of their own pocket.
The search aims to recognise and celebrate the heroes across the UK who help families navigate the challenges of the long school summer holidays, whether it be teachers who put on summer football camps, the friends who end up feeding five for tea, or the volunteer who organises free craft sessions in the village hall.
It comes as a recent study by Iceland found that over half of families (55%) in the West Midlands are worried about coping financially through the holidays, with over 40% worried this could be the most expensive summer they have ever experienced.
Worryingly, the research also found that almost a quarter of British parents (24%) plan to skip meals during the summer holidays in order to put food on the table for their children, and when it comes to caring for them, 27% say they rely on local community groups to help.
Now Iceland is on the search to celebrate those that make a positive impact in their society and is returning the favour, by rewarding them in kind.
The winners, chosen weekly by independent judges, will each receive a £100 Iceland gift card and a £200 Love 2 Shop Holiday voucher.
Nominations for the Summer Stars will have the seal of approval from Josie Gibson, joined by Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods, Richard Walker and Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Dhaliwal.
Josie Gibson, TV presenter and mum, said: “As a single mum myself, I know how tough the summer holidays can be. The cost, the childcare, the constant ‘I’m hungry’, it’s a lot! That’s why I’m so proud to help Iceland find these amazing people who step up when it matters most. It’s time to say thank you to the legends who save our summer, one meal, one club, one act of kindness at a time.”
Richard Walker, Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods, added: “We know summer can be an extremely tough period for so many families. That’s why it’s so important to shine a light on the people making a real difference in their communities.
“From coaching free football camps to cooking for a crowd, these are the true Saviours of Summer, and we want to give them the credit they deserve. Iceland has always stood for doing the right thing, and this is our way of celebrating those who do the right thing too.”
Nominations are now open, and anyone can submit their entry, explaining why their nominee deserves recognition, to https://www.iceland.co.uk/summer.
It’s just the latest move from Iceland to help families navigate summer. The supermarket recently launched its biggest-ever free school meal top-up, meaning up to 2.2 million families are in-line for an extra £5 to help them on their next food shop. This comes alongside the Iceland Food Club, offered in partnership with not-for-profit lender Fair For You, which provides flexible, interest-free loans up to £75 to help families spread the cost of essentials during the school holidays.
To claim the top-up, families simply need a registered Iceland or The Food Warehouse Bonus Card, free to sign up for via the Bonus Card app or online at iceland.co.uk/bonus-card.
It’s not the only offering Iceland have on offer for shoppers this summer. The supermarket has also introduced a range of deals to help families navigate the cost of summer, including
Ice cream deals from 22nd July
- Mars Ice Cream Mars Bars – 4 Pack, Now, £2.00, Was £2.75
- Mars Ice Cream Snickers – 4 Pack, Now £2.00, Was £2.75
- Magnum Classic Magnum – 3 Pack, Now £2.75, Was £3.50
- Magnum White Chocolate Magnum – 3 Pack, Now £2.75, Was £3.50
- Magnum Almond Magnum – 3 Pack, Now £2.75, Was £3.50
- Solero Exotic Explosion – 3 Pack, Now £1.85, Was £2.75
- Solero Orange Burst – Now, £1.85, Was £2.75
- Walls Lime & Orange Mini Calippo – 400ml, Now £1.85, Was £2.75
- Wall’s Mini Twister – 300ml, Now £1.85, Was £2.75
- Haagen Dazs Salted Caramel Ice Cream Stick Bar – 240ml, Now £3.00, Was £4.25
- Haagen Dazs Crunchy Cookie Ice Cream Stick Bar – 240ml, Now £3.00, Was £4.25
- Kinder Bueno Ice Cream Cone – 4 Pack, Now £3.95, Was £4.95
- Kinder White Kinder Bueno Ice Cream Cone Multipack – 4 Pack, Now £3.95, Was £4.95
- Oreo Ice Cream Tub – 425ml, Now £2.00, Was £3.50
Half price laundry:
- Surf Tropical Surf – 24 Wash, £3.00
- Comfort Intense Sky – 58 Wash, £3.00
- Comfort Sakura Dreams – 58 Wash, £3.00
- Surf Passionbloom – 648ml, £3.00
- Ariel Gel Laundry Detergent – 26 Wash, £4.75
- Daz Liquid Detergent – 12 Pods, £2.50
- Fairy Laundry Detergent Gel – 26 Wash, £4.75
- Surf Pink & Tropical Oasis Laundry Capsules – 26 Pods, £4.50
- Surf Passion Bloom Laundry Capsules – 26 Pods, £4.50
8 for £10:
- Goodfella’s Thin Pepperoni Pizza – 319g, £2.00
- Goodfella’s Thin Cheese Pizza – 325g, £2.00
- Chicago Town Pepperoni Deep Dish – 310g, £1.75
- Chicago Town Four Cheese Deep Dish – 296g, £1.75
- Birds Eye BBQ Chicken Griddlers – 8 Pack, £2.75
- Birds Eye Chicken Dippers – 12 Pack, £2.75
- Birds Eye Crispy Chicken – 2 Pack, £2.75
- Birds Eye Southern Fried Chicken – 2 Pack, £2.75
- Aunt Bessies Straight Chips – 600g, £2.20
- Birds Eye Alphabites – 456g, £2.60
- McCain Quick Chips – 2 Pack, £1.75
- Young’s Fish Fingers – 10 Pack, £1.75
- Young’s Chip Shop Omega 3 Fish Fillets – 2 Pack, £2.25
- Richmond Thick Pork Sausage – 8 Pack, £2.00
