Co-op cash boost for community groups in region

A HOST OF community group in the Echo area are set to receive a slice of a £20m funding boost from the Co-op.

The latest beneficiaries of the store’s community fund have been unveiled and they will be given cash from the fund on a quarterly basis throughout the year.

A Co-op spokesman said: “The amount the groups receive will be dependent on the amount Co-op shoppers spend in store but we would estimate that they should get in the region of £4,000 over the course of the year.”

The local groups set to benefit are: Barrow Pre-School Playgroup Website Project, Barrow Community Library, Girlguiding Soar Valley District, Birstall Playgroup for Children with Special Needs, Castle Donington Centre – GrowCookShare Project, Friends of the School – St Edward’s Castle Donington, Orchard Community Primary School Parents Association, East Leake Academy PTA Fundraising Team, Wymeswold Playgroup, Kegworth Town Cricket Club, Kegworth Community Library, Parents, Staff & Friends of Kegworth School (PSFA).

Alastair Cook, area manager for Co-op food stores, said: “As a community retailer we want to support the causes that matter most to Co-op members so we would urge people to visit us online to choose who they would like to support, and then shop with us to ensure the good causes get the most out of the fund.

“Nationwide the local community fund is making a real difference to charities and good causes throughout the country.

“Since we launched the membership scheme in September 2016, 8,000 organisations have shared £20 million, and we are confident that this year we will raise a further £20 million to be shared amongst the latest 4,000 causes.”