Lincolnshire Co-op is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its Community Champions
scheme, which has seen £4,522,000 donated to 2,408 local groups.
The scheme is designed to support local groups and good causes, ranging from sports clubs
and theatre groups to growing projects and food banks, and, most recently, local hospices.
Fundraising is a community effort; a donation is made each time a member shops with their
dividend card, colleagues host fundraising events, such as bingo nights or sponsored walks,
and there’s collection tins in Lincolnshire Co-op outlets for customers to drop their change.
In North and South Kesteven alone, £813,000 has been donated to 437 local groups, including
27 breakfast clubs.
Among the groups supported through Community Champions is Lincolnshire Emergency
Medical Response (LEMR), a team of volunteers responding to 999 calls across Lincolnshire.
They received £4896.48 in 2020, which they used to ensure that each responder was provided
with a cold weather jacket, keeping them warm when they’re caring for patients in the cold.
Matt Bailey, Operations Manager at LEMR, said: “We never know what job we’re going to next;
it could be a child, it could be an adult, it’s always someone’s family member or loved one.
“Our whole team dedicates so much time to not only responding, but also fundraising and
training to ensure that we have all the equipment and skills to give the best possible care to
every single patient.
“Receiving a donation from the Community Champions scheme was even more special
because it came directly from the local community, who are the people that we could potentially
be responding to.”
Lincolnshire Co-op will be celebrating the anniversary by engaging with members, colleagues,
customers, and previous Community Champions groups.
Community Manager at Lincolnshire Co-op, Sam Turner, said: “Our Community Champions
scheme has enabled us to work alongside the communities we serve, and provide funding to
some really fantastic causes.
“In the community team, we see the incredible impact of this funding every single day, but I think
that the figures really illustrate this for everyone.
“Thank you to all of our members, colleagues and customers for all of your support and
contributions over the last 10 years, we’re continuously amazed by your dedication and
generosity.”
“We’re currently accepting applications for future Community Champions, so if you’re part of a
local group or good cause, please get in touch!”
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