July 21, 2016 4.17 pm This story is over 92 months old

Health charities receive £86k donation from Lincolnshire Co-op

Two local health charities have benefited from £86,000 funding thanks to donations from shoppers at Lincolnshire Co-op. The money was raised by dividend card holders between March and May for local branches of Rethink Mental Illness, a provider of health services for people affected by severe mental illness and Headway, a charity providing much needed…
(Left to right) Rethink’s Helen Doyle, Lincolnshire Co-op Head of Pharmacy Alastair Farquhar and Headway’s Jane Reams.

Two local health charities have benefited from £86,000 funding thanks to donations from shoppers at Lincolnshire Co-op.

The money was raised by dividend card holders between March and May for local branches of Rethink Mental Illness, a provider of health services for people affected by severe mental illness and Headway, a charity providing much needed support to people affected by brain injuries.

Each charity was given a £43,000 cheque by Lincolnshire Co-op’s Head of Pharmacy Alastair Farquhar at a presentation at Newland Pharmacy in Lincoln.

(Left to right) Lincolnshire Co-op’s Anna-Marie Clarke, Lincolnshire Co-op’s Sam Turner, Rethink’s Helen Doyle, Lincolnshire Co-op Head of Pharmacy Alastair Farquhar, Headway’s Ann-Marie Smith, Headway’s Jane Reams and Headway’s Hilary Liddle.

(Left to right) Lincolnshire Co-op’s Anna-Marie Clarke, Lincolnshire Co-op’s Sam Turner, Rethink’s Helen Doyle, Lincolnshire Co-op Head of Pharmacy Alastair Farquhar, Headway’s Ann-Marie Smith, Headway’s Jane Reams and Headway’s Hilary Liddle.

The Community Champions scheme is one of the ways that Lincolnshire Co-op’s give back to the community.

Every time a member shops at an outlet using their dividend card, a donation goes to the chosen champion at that time.

Jane Reams, Headway Lincolnshire Trustee, said: “It’s a fantastic amount and will make such a difference to the people we support and their families.

(Left to right) Rethink’s Helen Doyle, Lincolnshire Co-op Head of Pharmacy Alastair Farquhar and Headway’s Jane Reams.

(Left to right) Rethink’s Helen Doyle, Lincolnshire Co-op Head of Pharmacy Alastair Farquhar and Headway’s Jane Reams.

“Brain injuries are a hidden disability so having our logo in Lincolnshire Co-op stores has hopefully raised the profile of Headway and what we do to support people who have them.”

James Fletcher, Rethink Mental Illness Head of Corporate Partnerships, said: “This funding will do a huge amount to provide support to people in communities across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.”

The Headway charity will use the £43,000 they received to fund training, support groups and social days out for members.

Stores are currently raising money for Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire Wildlife Trusts.