Lincolnshire Co-op members have raised £45,135 in three months for 84 local causes, just by shopping.
The money was raised through the Community Champions scheme, where all of the Co-op’s 230,000 members are linked to a cause close to where they live.
Then, whenever a member uses their dividend card in a Lincolnshire Co-op store, a donation from the Community Champions pot goes towards their local good cause.
The groups change every three months so different organisations can benefit from the scheme.
Since it began in March 2013, the scheme has funded over 300 groups across Lincolnshire with a total of £192,750.
Causes that have benefitted from funding include football teams, churches, nurseries, lunch clubs and more, and the Co-op welcome new group sign ups.
Lincolnshire Co-op’s Member Engagement Manager Richard Whittaker said: “Once again our members have helped us raise a fantastic total which will enable many groups in their local areas to complete exciting projects.
“Our Community Champions scheme has also reached its first birthday and we’re thrilled that over the year we have been able to support more than 300 groups with nearly £200,000.
“This new way of sharing our profits ensures that members see the difference that shopping with us makes in their own communities.”
Causes which benefitted from the Community Champions scheme in 2014 locally include:
£1189.54 for Welton St Marys School Friends Association for a maths garden for the school, a poly tunnel and a willow structure for the school field.
£1033.80 for 15th Lincoln Scout Group to replace the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts much-used camping equipment.
£740.95 to Bailgate Methodist Church for improvements to the church frontage, including new glass doors.
£726.20 for Friends of Navenby School (FONS) to create a science/sensory trail and contribute to an outdoor learning classroom.
£643.38 for the Lincoln Toy Library to develop a range of ethnic bags containing items relating to specific cultures.
The next group of causes will all have a health related theme, and shoppers can see which is their most local cause by looking at the bottom of their receipts.
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Works to replace worn out carriageway on several Waddington roads will start in late July.
The improvement project will start on Monday 25 July and last up to twelve weeks (subject to weather).
The project will be carried out in five phases. Below is a list of roads where sections of carriageway will be rebuilt:
Brant Road
Hollywell Road
Hill Top / Tinkers Lane
Far Lane
Manor Lane
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “As many will have noticed, some of the roads in Waddington are nearing the end of their serviceable life. As a result, we’ll be rebuilding them starting in July.
“This will be a massive improvement project. In fact, we expect to lay over 9,000 tonnes of new tarmac over the twelve-week scheme.
“Although there will inevitably be some disruption, we’ll be doing everything we can to keep this to a minimum including maintaining access for residents throughout the entire scheme.”
Cllr Thomas Dyer, county councillor for Waddington and Hykeham East, said: “I’m thrilled that these essential works are set to start next month.
“With over 6,000 residents, Waddington is one of the county’s largest villages, and I think nearly everyone who lives in or travels through the area will be pleased to see us rebuilding sections of Brant Road, Hollywell Road and other key roads that are in desperate need of repair.
“Residents will no doubt experience some inconvenience over the planned twelve weeks of work, but it’s important that we get these improvements completed as quickly as possible.
“As your local councillor, should anyone have any problems, please do not hesitate to contact me.”