Co-op’s £34k gift for good causes

GOOD causes in Rochdale received an early Christmas present, when the Co-op announced £34,000 funding boost.

The money will be shared by 15 organisations, all of whom are making a real difference to communities throughout the region. These include Rochdale Foodbank, Rochdale Pioneers Museum, and The Sanctuary Trust.

This is the latest round of pay outs from the local community fund, and brings the amount the Co-op has invested in good causes in Rochdale since the scheme launched in September 2016 to £85,000.

When Co-op member buys Co-op branded products from food stores or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare they earn a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to a local good cause of their choice.

Rufus Olins, director of community and campaigns at the Co-op, said: “It’s great to be delivering an early Christmas present to those communities and individuals that need it most.

“Making a positive contribution and making great things happen locally has been at the heart of The Co-op’s purpose since 1844, and the local community fund is a good modern example of this. Along with our members, we’re proud to be making a difference to hundreds, if not thousands, of local lives.

“Since the scheme launched Co-op members have helped to raise an amazing £20 million for 8,000 local causes nationally, but we want to do more, so the more people shop, the more good causes can earn. However, this is not just about giving money, it is about developing relationships with good causes in local communities, and over the past year we have been touched by hundreds of ways in which people have made their own communities better places to be.”