Three local causes have shared over £8000 raised by the local community as part of the Co-op’s ‘Local Community Fund’.
The three causes to benefit were Blind Eye, supporting young people through theatre skills receiving £2431.45, Friends of Woodthorpe Grange, supporters of biodiversity receiving £3045.81 and Mapperley Plains Primary Forest School, supporting eco- skills and developing their forest school provision receiving £2705.46.
This year the Mapperley local area team, made up of the Co-op store on Mapperley top, manged by Dan Steeples, the Co-op store on Westdale Lane, managed by Ian Ford and Chris and Melissa at Co-op Funeral care on Mapperley Top told Gedling Eye that they were thrilled with the total amount raised by the local community, especially in the current economic climate.
Gedling Eye spoke with Co-op Member Pioneer, Sue Chivers, who supports and makes connections in the community between the Co-op, charities, community groups and local events.
Sue said: “Funds for each cause were raised by the fantastic local community. One penny in every £1 that Co-op members spend goes towards one of the causes.
“People can choose which to support through the Co-op app otherwise the funds are divided equally between the causes at the end of the year.
“We were all blown away by the amount raised this year and the money will have a massive impact on each group and what they want to achieve.
“A massive thank you to all our local Co-op members, we all really appreciate your support throughout the year and loved the Celebration Day”
Sue added “For the following year we are supporting two new LCFs – one is Carlton Lifesavers, training people of all ages at Carlton forum to become lifesavers, and Re- engage, which supports isolated and lonely senior citizens in the local area through regular social events.
“We are looking forward to working with both causes and or fantastic Co-op members over the coming year.”
Co-op Members have already raised over £100m for over 36,000 local causes across the UK.
Local groups in the area can apply annually from May- June to be a LCF at https://co-operate.coop.co.uk/how-to/funding/apply-for-funding/ .
Further information regarding the Co-op Local Communities Fund can be accessed HERE.
