Devon store events raise money for good causes

Nearly £13,000 has been raised by Devon and Dorset co-operative colleagues and customers in 2019 for local causes close to their hearts.

Every year, each convenience store part of Southern Co-op, partners with a special local cause chosen by colleagues.

The Co-operative Food store colleagues then have a year to hold fundraising events in aid of the cause.

In 2019, 15 different causes were chosen by the Devon and Dorset stores including 17th Exeter Alphington Scouts, Alzheimer's Research UK, Bow Recreation Group CIC, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Dorset County Hospital Charity, East Dorset and New Forest Motor Neurone Disease Association, Exeter City Community Trust, Forest Holme Hospice Charity, Hospicecare Exmouth and Lympstone, Julia's House, Life Education Wessex, Poole Hospital - Children's Ward, The Bus Shelter Dorset, The Museum Society of Exmouth, and Weldmar Hospicecare.

Fundraisers for the charities were held by colleagues at 22 stores including Bearwood's King John Avenue, Blandford's Salisbury Road, Bournemouth's Belle Vue Road, Castle Lane, East Howe Lane, and Madeira Road, Bow's Burston Cross Road, Cranbrook's Younghayes Road, Creekmoor's Northmead Drive, Exeter's Alphington Road, Exeter's Buddle Lane, Exmouth's Brixington Parade, and Exeter Road, Parkstone's Penn Hill Avenue, Poole's Ringwood Road, and Tatnam Road, Portland's Weston Road, Shaftesbury's Beaufoy Close, Sturminster's Station Road, Verwood's Ringwood Road, Weymouth's Chickerell Road, and Wimborne's Wimborne Road (petrol station).

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op - the regional, independent co-operative, said: "Each of our stores has a budget which they can donate to special projects but this total is separate. Every penny has been raised by colleagues and customers who want to help the store's current charity partner.

"A lot of the causes are really small and may simply need help letting people know what they do. Then others have been running for years supporting hundreds of residents in their time of need.

"We are so proud of our colleagues who work tirelessly to give back to these causes. Thank you."

After a year of awareness days, fundraisers and challenges, 16 of the Devon and Dorset stores are now in search of their next charity partner. Local causes are invited to apply to become a charity partner in 2020-21 as part of Southern Co-op's ‘Love Your Neighbourhood' programme.

The programme aims to create greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Amanda Gallagher, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser for Children's Hospice South West, said: "The support we've had from Southern Co-op in 2019 was phenomenal. From sponsoring our Rainbow Run to the teams getting involved and volunteering at our shops, I really can't thank them enough for their enthusiasm and determination to make a difference.

"Their fundraising helps support our three hospices across the south west and will help to make sure that we can continue to be here whenever families need us."

The stores looking for nominations are Bearwood's King John Avenue, Blandford's Salisbury Road, Bournemouth's Castle Lane, and Madeira Road, Bow's Burston Cross Road, Cranbrook's Younghayes Road, Creekmoor's Northmead Drive, Exeter's Buddle Lane, Exmouth's Brixington Parade, and Exeter Road, Parkstone's Penn Hill Avenue, Portland's Weston Road, Shaftesbury's Beaufoy Close, Verwood's Ringwood Road, Weymouth's Chickerell Road, and Wimborne's Wimborne Road (petrol station).

Causes are encouraged to visit their local store as soon as possible to request an application form. To find out more about Southern Co-op's charity partners, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/makingadifference/local-partnerships.