September 12, 2014 1.02 pm This story is over 127 months old

Local good causes share £45k in Lincolnshire Co-op scheme

Champions rewarded: In the past three months, members of Lincolnshire Co-op have raised £45,538 for almost 100 local good causes, including 28 from the Lincoln area.

In the past three months, members of Lincolnshire Co-Op have raised £45,538 for almost 100 local good causes, including 28 from the Lincoln area.

As part of the Community Champions scheme, every time one of the society’s 231,000 members used their dividend card in any Lincolnshire Co-Op outlets where points are issued, a donation is put towards their local cause.

The Community Champions for the period June to September will be awarded a cheque of vouchers for the total raised by shoppers in their area.

In Lincoln, 28 good causes will share £14,450.03. Those benefitting include scout groups, sports clubs, various churches, schools and charities.

Some £1,608.62 will go to The Lancaster School to improve outdoor provision by developing the pupils’ garden.

A total of £1,181.93 will be awarded to the Welton St Mary’s Church in Lincoln in order to create a Remembrance Garden.

Now this set of Community Champions’ three months is up, new champions take over and members have begun raising money for different local groups.

Customers can look for displays in store or check the bottom of their till receipt to see who they’re supporting now.

As well as being one of the Community Champions supported by local outlets each year, charities and community groups can join the central list.

Members can then choose to make them their Community Champion all year around. At the end of the financial year, Lincolnshire Co-op will add up all the money raised for local groups on that list and pay out the total.

Lincolnshire Co-op is encouraging members of local groups in need of funding to apply to become a Community Champion.

Member Engagement Manager Richard Whittaker said: “We’re very impressed that our members have managed to raise so much money for good causes in their local areas.

“It’s been great to see our Community Champions really encouraging their supporters to help raise funds, which they can do just by shopping with Lincolnshire Co-op.

“The champions change four times a year so we have the chance to support lots of different groups – if any groups out there need help with a project we’d like to encourage them to apply to be a Community Champion.”