Almost £160k raised for environmental groups through Lincolnshire Co-op scheme

Local environmental groups and Lincolnshire Co-op colleagues gathered together at Gibraltar Point near Skegness to celebrate the total funds raised. Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

Almost £160,000 was raised through Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Champions Scheme to benefit environmental good causes.

The six figure sum of £159,953 will help bolster different groups’ projects as they care for and develop green spaces in their communities.

Several groups received a share of the total including Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (£29,082), Lincolnshire Rivers Trust (£13,129), Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (£7,012), the Boultham Park project in Lincoln (£5,714) and more.

From left to right: Dave Bromwich, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Head of Nature Reserves; Tammy Smalley, Head of Conservation; Paul Learoyd, Chief Executive; holding the total raised for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

More than 171,000 members raised the total by shopping in Lincolnshire Co-op stores through the summer. A donation was made each time a member used their dividend card.

Funds were collected from donation boxes in store, as well as through Lincolnshire Co-op colleagues who organised fundraising events.

Laura Docking, Linkage Community Fundraiser, with the charity’s total. Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

Lincolnshire Co-op has Salvation Army clothing recycling banks on 48 of their sites.

Money raised from clothing donations from these banks have been split between the Salvation Army and the Community Champions.

Jaime Emma Oliver, Nettleham Hub Coordinator, holding the group’s total. Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

Money was raised for the following Community Champions:

  • Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – £1,070
  • Newby and Scalby in Bloom – £228
  • Warley Road Community Group, in Scunthorpe – £1,349
  • Holton Le Clay Community Wildlife Garden – £2,412
  • Great Coates Environment Projects, near Grimsby – £3,035
  • Nunny’s Farm CIC, in Grimsby – £4,161
  • Waltham In Bloom, near Grimsby – £1,692
  • Caistor in Bloom Group – £3,220
  • Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust – £7,012
  • Glentworth Village Hall, near Gainsborough – £1,132
  • Tall Oaks Academy Trust, near Gainsborough – £1,848
  • Westwoodside Playing Field Association, near Doncaster – £1,335
  • Market Rasen Station Adoption Group – £2,582
  • The Boston Woods Trust – £3,412
  • Boston in Bloom Partnership – £1,733
  • Cuckoo Land Allotment Association, in Boston- £2,831
  • Swineshead Youth Group gardening project – £1,024
  • Holbeach in Bloom – £2,914
  • Crowland Environment Projects – £1,384

Crowland Parish Councillor Reg Boot with the total raised. Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

  • Gosberton Community Action Team – £1,991
  • Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust – £29,082
  • Long Sutton in Bloom – £3,711
  • Sleaford Be Litter Free – £2,146
  • Great Hale Recreation Area, in Ruskington – £2,371
  • Lincolnshire Rivers Trust – £13,129
  • Henry le Strange Community Orchard, near Hunstanton – £236.16
  • Boultham Park project, near Lincoln – £5,714
  • Burgh Angling Society, in Alford – £4,293
  • Bardney Village Hall & Playing Field Committee – £1,247
  • Parents and Friends of Wragby Primary School – £1,335
  • Pingle Nature Reserve, in Coningsby – £5,177
  • Hillside Community Garden, in Lincoln – £5,569
  • Lincoln In Bloom – £4,844
  • Hartsholme Community Trust, in Lincoln – £2,191
  • Bracebridge Heath Events Group, near Lincoln – £2,269
  • Glebe Park Play Area, in Lincoln – £2,418
  • South Hykeham Bridleway – £1,267
  • Cherry Fields, in Cherry Willingham – £1,678
  • Bridge Street Conservation Area, in Saxilby – £2,346
  • Nettleham Community Hub – £2,429
  • Navenby Parish Council – £1,469
  • Scopwick and Kirkby Green Playing Field Committee – £3,448
  • First Bassingham Scout Group Development Funds – £2,310
  • Friends National Civil War Centre, in Newark – £3,698
  • Friends of the Trent Vale Trail, in Newark – £4,836
  • Hougham and Marston Village Hall and Playing Field Committee, in Grantham – £1,131

Sandra Horner, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Supporter Journey Officer, celebrating the charity’s total. Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

Sam Turner, Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Engagement Manager, said: “The green groups do a great job in their communities. It could be looking after parks and playing fields or sprucing up community gardens and orchards.

“Now more than ever, our green spaces are an important value and bring people together in their communities.”

Since it was launched in 2013, the Community Champions initiative has helped hundreds of local charities and community groups each year raising amounts from £200 to over £200,000.