McKillop’s SPAR wins community award for decades of support across Ballymena
Eamon and Nadelle McKillop of McKillop's SPAR, Fry's Road, receiving Involvement in the Community Award from Lee McFarland of Cranswick Country Foods.
Tuesday 3 November 2026
A Ballymena convenience store which has spent almost four decades supporting local schools, sports clubs and charities has been recognised for its contribution to the community.
McKillop’s SPAR received the Involvement in the Community Award at the 24th annual Ballymena Business Excellence Awards, held at Tullyglass Hotel on Thursday 22 October.
The family-run store, which opened 38 years ago and employs 27 local people, was recognised for its longstanding commitment to helping organisations and initiatives across the town.
Supporting local schools and young people
Among the store’s regular community activities is its support for Braidside Integrated Primary School, Kirkinriola Primary School and Castle Tower Special School.
The business provides annual sports day kits and welcome packs for new pupils, while owner Eamon McKillop has also visited schools to help children learn more about food and where it comes from.
His visits have included presentations highlighting Northern Ireland food producers, the health benefits of fruit and vegetables, how food is harvested and the importance of local suppliers.
The store also supports P1 welcome days and educational activities designed to help children understand the journey from farm to fork.
Backing sport and local charities
McKillop’s SPAR has also established strong connections with local sporting organisations, providing sponsorship and support to All Saints GAC and Ballymena Runners.
Its involvement includes backing events such as the Fairhill 5 Mile race and the Ballymena Runners Icecream Run, helping community sporting activities continue to bring people together.
Alongside its work with schools and sports clubs, the store regularly organises in-store fundraising activities and initiatives supporting SPAR NI’s charity partner Marie Curie and the Northern Ireland Hospice.
The combined efforts reflect a commitment that extends beyond financial contributions, with staff giving their time and resources to support causes important to local people.
Community relationships at the heart of the business
Reacting to the award, owner Eamon McKillop praised the commitment of his team and explained why community involvement remains central to the business.
“The team at McKillop’s SPAR commit time, involvement and resources throughout the year to supporting our local community. We regularly work with local schools through P1 welcome days, farm to fork storytelling and school sports days. We also provide sponsorships, donations, prizes, and support to local sports clubs, community events, charities and fundraising initiatives.
“For myself and our team, community involvement is more than providing sponsorships and donations, it is about building genuine relationships and making a positive difference to those in our local community every day. It allows us to build lasting, genuine connections with local people and organisations and our involvement with local schools, sports teams and community groups encourages participation, confidence and community spirit.
“We are honoured to be awarded with the Involvement in the Community Award, it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our whole team, who genuinely care and want to invest in our local community.
“Our shoppers are our neighbours, and as we approach our 40th year of the store, we look forward to continuing to invest our time and efforts into the people that make our community what it is.”
For McKillop’s SPAR, the award marks another milestone in a relationship with Ballymena that stretches back 38 years, recognising not simply the store’s longevity but the connections its team has built with generations of local families, schools and community organisations.
