Generous shoppers provide a welcome boost

Co-operative members have helped the St Vincent de Paul Society in Heywood to provide school uniforms and equipment to youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds with a grant of £2,000.

The group received the cash boost from The Co-operative’s Community Fund, a pot of money accumulated by member customers opting to donate all or part of their annual dividend to good causes in the area. The money is distributed by The Co-operative’s local area committees.

Peter Hunt, from St Vincent de Paul Society, said: “Funding is becoming ever harder to secure, therefore we were delighted to hear that we were successful in securing this grant from The Co-operative. The cash has made a huge difference to our group, and it means all the more knowing that the money has been donated by local people.”

Hazel Remeika, The Co-operative’s Membership Manager for the North West, said: “Supporting local communities has been an inherent part of The Co-operative’s values and principles since the very beginning of the Co-operative Movement.

“We are particularly proud of the Community Fund, as it demonstrates how the generosity of our members can make a real difference in their local area, and now we have stores and branches in every postal area of the UK it makes it all the more relevant.”

Co-operative members receive a payment twice a year based on the points they earn when they trade at any of the Group’s businesses, including The Co-operative Food, Travel, Pharmacy and Funeralcare, as well as The Co-operative Bank, Smile and The Co-operative Insurance.