TV advert inspires 'bags' of support for flood appeal

David Naylor, Manager of The Co-op’s Cutgate Shopping Centre store

The Co-op’s festive TV advert has turned into reality in Rochdale as the retailer joins forces with the community to donate bags of groceries and cleaning products to help victims of the floods.

The Co-op food store in the Cutgate Shopping Centre, Rochdale - which itself was forced to close through power failure – has partnered with nearby stores in Bury Road, Radcliffe, and Longsight Road, Holcombe Brook, by donating shopping bags full of tea, coffee, toilet and kitchen rolls or cleaning products to those in need following the floods which hit the area on Boxing Day.

The retailer is now also acting as a collection point for customers and members of the community who want to show their support by donating grocery items which will be distributed to flood affected families with the help of local charities and voluntary organisations.

David Naylor, Manager of The Co-op’s Cutgate Shopping Centre store, said: “Seeing local families suffering is an incredibly emotional experience. The community spirit and response to the floods has been amazing, colleagues, customers and members of the community want to make a difference. The charities we are working with tell us that bags of groceries donated are not only providing practical help, but importantly, let people know that they are not alone and that the community cares - donating just one item really can combine to make a big difference to a local family in need."

The Co-op's TV advert shows the magic behind Christmas which, for many people, is not glitz and glamour, but kindness and community spirt - it depicts an elderly man, surprised when a shopping bag of items from his local Co-op are left on his doorstep.

To donate an item, pop into the Co-op food store in Rochdale, Cutgage Shopping Centre.