Co-op fund supporting vulnerable people during challenging times

Local mental health and domestic abuse charities will receive extra financial support thanks to Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Champions dividend-based grant scheme.
A Lincolnshire Co-op donation box for Community Champions. Photo:: Chris Vaughan Photography. EMN-200807-092257001A Lincolnshire Co-op donation box for Community Champions. Photo:: Chris Vaughan Photography. EMN-200807-092257001
A Lincolnshire Co-op donation box for Community Champions. Photo:: Chris Vaughan Photography. EMN-200807-092257001

Together, Lincolnshire Co-op members and staff will raise money for groups who offer a helping hand to individuals who feel vulnerable now more than ever.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Engagement Manager Sam Turner said: “As the country goes through uncertain times, we feel it’s important for our Community Champions scheme to react to a need and be used to support charities who have seen an increase in demand for their vital services.”

EDAN Lincs, based in Lincolnshire, supports and empowers those who have suffered or are exposed to domestic violence.

EDAN Lincs Fundraising Co-ordinator Lucy W said: “We were excited when Lincolnshire Co-op approached us – it felt like we’d won the lottery.

“We’re anticipating a further rise in referrals in the coming months as lockdown eases. The money that Lincolnshire Co-op is raising has come at the right time and can be channelled into the service to enable us to manage the increasing need as a result of coronavirus.”

North East Lincolnshire Mind and Hull and East Yorkshire Mind are two of around 130 branches of the charity across England and Wales delivering services, campaigning and giving a voice to people with mental health problems.

Chief Executive at the two Mind charities, Emma Dallimore said: “We’re thrilled that Lincolnshire Co-op have chosen to support us. One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year, and we know that this can

make every day feel like a struggle.

“With Lincolnshire Co-op’s support, we can continue to help more individuals and ensure that nobody has to face a mental health problem alone.”

Fundraising has already started and continues until September. Every time a Lincolnshire Co-op member shops with their dividend card, money goes into the pot. Proceeds from the carrier bag levy and colleague fundraising will go towards the total too.

Funds raised will go to the following groups:

* Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

* Mind: Scarborough

* Mind: North Lincolnshire

* Mind: East Yorkshire and Hull

* Mind: North East Lincolnshire

* Edan Lincs (Lincolnshire)

* South Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse (SOLDAS)

* North East Lincolnshire Women’s Aid

* Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid

* IDAS (Yorkshire and Barnsley)

* Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services (Norfolk)

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