December 12, 2014 12.27 pm This story is over 110 months old

Lincolnshire Community Champions share £37k thanks to Co-op members

Community Champions: Swimming clubs, choirs and animal sanctuaries are just some of the groups sharing the £37,027 raised by members of Lincolnshire Co-op s in the last three months.

Swimming clubs, choirs and animal sanctuaries are just some of the groups sharing the £37,027 raised by members of Lincolnshire Co-op s in the last three months.

The Community Champions scheme sees each of the Society’s 234,000 members linked to a good cause close to where they live.

In Lincoln, organisations and good causes were awarded over £12,000.

Among groups benefitting from the donation are Rainbows, Brownies and Scout groups, the LIVES charity, local gymnastics clubs and the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Lincoln Cathedral will also receive over £600 towards restoration and repair works.

Every time a member uses their dividend card in any Lincolnshire Co-op outlets where points are issued, a donation from the Community Champions pot goes towards their local good cause.

The Community Champions for the period from September to December can now look forward to being awarded a cheque or vouchers for the total amount raised by shoppers in their area.

Member Engagement Manager Richard Whittaker said: “It’s great to see people supporting community projects just by shopping with Lincolnshire Co-op and the Community Champions have really been encouraging their supporters and local members to help raise funds.”

“The Champions change quarterly which means we’re able to support lots of different groups. If any groups out there are in need of help with a project, we’d encourage them to apply.”

Community Champions are picked by Lincolnshire Co-op’s nine Members’ Groups, made up of dividend card holders from across the area.

Local groups and organisations who are eligible and in need of a cash injection can pick up an application form in store or download online.

As well as supporting a Community Champion through their local outlet each year, members can also help out charities and community groups on the central list. If an organisation has applied to join the list, members can choose to make it their Community Champion all year round.

At the end of the financial year, Lincolnshire Co-op adds up all the money raised for local groups on that list and pays out the total.

As of Sunday, December 7 the next round of champions have taken over in stores and begun raising money for a new batch of local groups.

Customers can look for displays in store or check the bottom of their till receipt from next week to see who their new Community Champion is.