Operations Manager of Little Wing, Jamie Mendez, pictured with Owen Mendez (10) and Megan Stranaghan (7). The home-grown pizzeria chain is ramping up its community outreach programme through a range of new initiatives.

HOME-GROWN pizzeria chain Little Wing is ramping up its community outreach programme through a range of new initiatives.

The restaurant group, which has raised over £66,500 for charity over the last seven and a half years, is committed to increasing its positive impact in communities across Northern Ireland.

Little Wing is well known for its charitable credentials.

The forward-thinking business is now dialling up its community initiatives in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, providing much needed support to local charities, schools and clubs.

Inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs has been a core focus for the brand in recent years.

Over the last few months, Little Wing has been involved in an innovative Business Beginnings Programme, in conjunction Young Enterprise.

As part of the programme, Managing Director, Luke Wolsey and Operations Manager Jamie Mendez have led a series of mentoring talks and workshops with P7 pupils at Holywood Primary School, helping students to start up and run their own business.

The well-known pizzeria is also launching its ‘Get On Yer Bike’ Giveaway for the second year this June, giving six lucky children the chance to win brand new bikes.

The competition, which encourages people to take up cycling for fun, or as a means of traveling to work or school, will run between 10-18th July in celebration of Bike Week.

To enter this year’s competition, customers dining in any one of the six Little Wing pizzerias can fill out a ‘Get on Yer Bike’ Giveaway flyer.

The competition will run from 10-18th July, with winners being drawn on a date yet to be announced.

Other recent CSR initiatives include a collaborative project between East Belfast primary school, Strandtown and Little Wing Ballyhackamore to fund new iPads for the school.

The “I paid for an iPad” scheme invited teachers, pupils and families to dine for free in return for making a donation towards the project, and committing to fundraise for the school for the rest of the academic year.

Commenting on the initiatives, Luke Wolsey, managing director, Little Wing Pizzeria said:

“Since its inception, good community relations has been at the heart of the Little Wing ethos. As we continue to grow, we’re committed to increasing our positive contributions within the communities we operate.”

The Little Wing Little Stars scheme, which donates £500 bursaries to a range of local kid’s clubs each year is also set to return later this year.

“Some 18 clubs from across Northern Ireland have benefitted from the scheme since its launch in 2014.

Little Wing is part of the Beannchor Group, Ireland’s largest hospitality group, which boasts a portfolio of over 50 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland.

For further information, visit littlewingpizzeria.com