Playday payday for toy library as Co-op offers cash in a crisis
CENTRAL England Co-op has handed out nearly £15,000 to 15 charities and good causes as part of its revamped Community Dividend Fund to help those impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak.
A range of charities and community organisations were delighted to receive the funding boost during these uncertain times.
Recipients include Shepshed toy library, which was given £100 to help continue its important community work.
Ca t h e r i n e Tideswell, toy library manager, said: “It costs at least £15,000 just to run our organisation each year. Most of our costs are primarily running costs.
“However, we will find the Co-op’s donation useful to purchase household items such as hand sanitiser, stationery, snacks and drinks for when we open up our stay and play sessions.”
Also benefiting from grants are Shepshed Volunteer Centre, which has received £1,800 to fix its roof so it is ready post-lockdown to offer services to adults with additional needs. Organiser Candi Barnes said: “This Central England Co-op funding will provide essential repairs to our activity shed in the Shepshed wellbeing garden. “This gives us back a Covid-secure space to provide much-needed support and activities to individuals and groups in Shepshed.”
Normally, grants from the fund are handed out four times a year to a wide range of organisations, but it has been decided to hand grants out on a monthly basis to support those suffering financial hardship due to the pandemic and others looking to step in to help those affected.
All applicants, regardless of their success, are given Co-op vouchers to help support their work in the community. In all, 34 applicants shared just over £15,000 when taking into account full grants and vouchers awarded.
Jim Watts, Co-operative Society secretary, said: “In response to the crisis, we made some changes to our Community Dividend Fund to provide immediate financial support for local good causes, community groups and charities who are responding to some of the most worrying impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“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.
“We are delighted to have been able to support these amazing causes and help them make a difference in our communities.”
To apply, members will need: name, address, membership number, organisation type, organisation bank account or constitution and to explain what the group does, how the grant will be spent and the specific impact it will have related to Covid-19.
People can find out the full criteria and how to apply for funding by visiting www.centralengland.coop/ community/
It costs at least £15,000 just to run the toy library each year. Most of our costs are primarily running costs.
Manager Catherine Tideswell