Store chain gives charity £3k

CENTRAL England Co-op has handed out £3,000 to a good cause in Burton as part of its funding for community groups.

The store chain has given £33,350 to 22 charities and good causes as part of its revamped Community Dividend Fund aimed at supporting those who help support access to food, health and wellbeing, inclusion and the environment.

Burton and District Mind was given £3,000 to help support a planned mindfulness roadshow.

Ken Lawrence, of the charity said: “Burton and District Mind, the mental health charity, provide quality services across East Staffordshire, Lichfield District and Tamworth Borough. We are very thankful for the generous grant from the Central England Co-operative Community Dividend Fund. The grant enables us to provide a Mindfulness Roadshow to community groups across our service area who have been most affected by the pandemic.”

A wide range of charities and community organisations were delighted to receive the funding boost during these uncertain times.

Groups apply for between £100 to £5,000 every two months to support all manner of projects after, for the past 12 months, the fund was temporarily repurposed to support good causes impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. During that time, 116 good causes have shared over £175,000.

Organisations across Leicestershire, Worcestershire, parts of Staffordshire, Birmingham, Norfolk, Peterborough, Derby and Sheffield have benefitted from a grant.

Jim Watts, society secretary, said: “Community Dividend Fund grants showcase how by being a member and shopping at your local Central England Co-op store allows us as a Society to continue to invest and fund vital projects in the area – especially during uncertain times like these.”

People can find out the full criteria and how to apply for funding by visiting www.centralengland.coop/ community/