More than £165,000 donated for local causes

Vital palliative care services are receiving a welcome boost, thanks to Lincolnshire Co-op’s
Community Champions scheme.

11 local hospices, which include facilities for children and young people, will share the
£165,929 pot, raised throughout spring.

As well as providing medical care to patients, many hospices seek to provide emotional
support to those they care for and their loved ones.

These services enable those with terminal illnesses to enjoy the remainder of their lives, either
in the comfort of their own home, or within a peaceful hospice environment.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Champions scheme combines the efforts of members,
colleagues, and customers, to donate thousands of pounds to good causes each year.

A contribution is made each time a member shops with their dividend card, colleagues
organise fundraising, and customers donate their change through collection boxes in
Lincolnshire Co-op outlets.

The scheme is currently celebrating its 10 year anniversary and has raised £4.5m and
supported 2,408 groups in the last decade.

St Barnabas Hospice, which offers care to communities all over Lincolnshire, has received
£90,354.

Nettleham Food Store raised £1,300, with large contributions coming from bake sales organised
by Angie Canty, Team Leader at the outlet.

Angie Canty said: “I have been personally involved with this hospice. I lost my partner nearly 2
years ago now. After he was diagnosed, he was at St Barnabas hospice within a couple of days
and he died within a week.

“To me, the care they offered was a godsend. Being in a hospital ward with him was just soul
destroying, but as soon as we stepped into the door of the hospice it was a completely different
atmosphere.

“I couldn’t have him at home, but the hospice was like a home away from home. The staff are
lovely, they couldn’t do enough for us even during Covid. It’s been so important to raise money
for them, it’s a cause really close to my heart, and I’m chuffed with the total.”

£895.68 pays for a patient to stay in a St Barnabas hospice for specialist 24-hour end–of-life
care.

Rebecca Franks, Director of Patient Care at St Barnabas said: “All our care and support are free
of charge to the patient as we believe everyone should have access to high-quality,
compassionate care when they need it.
 
“As a charity, we rely on the kind donations of local people, and we put that money right back
into their own community. Annually we need to raise over £6.5million to continue providing our
service, so this donation is very gratefully received.”

Lincolnshire Co-op colleagues and board members met with the team at St Barnabas, to
celebrate the total raised.

Laura Worsley, Senior Community Co-ordinator at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “We’re so pleased
to be able to donate such large sums of money to local hospices, a massive thank you to all our
members, colleagues and customers for making this possible.

“Many people in our communities have benefitted from the support of a local hospice and
recognise how