(Left to Right) Patricia Griffiths, Trustee Manager of Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind; Clive Miles, President of the Heart of England Co-operative Society; Rosie Brady, Trustee Manager of Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind; Janet Arnold, Deputy Manager of The Co-operative Food at Earlsdon and Jo Dyke, Community and Membership Adviser at the Heart of England Co-operative Society.
Friday, February 15, 2019
Fifteen charities across Coventry, Warwickshire, south Leicestershire and Northamptonshire have received a share of £30,000 from the Heart of England Co-operative Society.
The proceeds have been raised from the sales of 5p carrier bags across the Society’s network of 32 Food stores in the area.
It is the latest donation made to charities and worthy causes since the introduction of a government levy in 2015. Over the past three-and-a-half years the Society has handed over £150,000 to charities and worthy causes through the scheme.
With the most votes in each of their respective areas the Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind, North Warwickshire Riding Centre for the Disabled, Menphys children and young person’s charity in Leicestershire, the South Warwickshire branch of Diabetes UK and Warwickshire Blood Bikes each received £3,000.
The Enterprise Club for the Disabled in Coventry, Arbury Guides in Nuneaton, Emmaus in Hinckley, Kids Run Free in South Warwickshire and Hope 4 in Rugby each received £2,0000, while the Coventry and District Samaritans, Escape Arts in Nuneaton, Next Generation in Hinckley, Leamington Night Shelter, and Carers Trust in Rugby, each received £1,000.
The Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind put its £3,000 towards general funds. It will be used towards enabling blind and partially sighted people in the city to lead full, independent lives.
Rosie Brady, Trustee and co-founder of the centre, said: “We have so much going on here, we’ve really expanded on our activities over time and offer a packed programme throughout the week.
“Every week there is an allotment group, braille classes, computer sessions, a friendship group, a devices workshop looking at iPads and the like, music, cookery, crafts, creative writing, a lunch club, tai chi and various outings – so every penny we receive from organisations such as the Heart of England Co-operative Society is a welcome bonus.”
She added: “We are so grateful to the Heart of England Co-operative Society for including us in its carrier bag scheme, and of course to the customers who voted for us to receive the money.”
Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Society, said: “We are delighted to be able to share £30,000 between these 15 worthwhile causes which span our trading area.
“Every day they are working to help improve the quality of life for people in their areas and this scheme allows ourselves and each and every one of our customers to play a small part.
“Once again we would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote. Every sale of a 5p carrier bag, and every vote cast, has helped make a real difference to many people in our area.”
The donation from the Heart of England Co-operative Society has been made in line with a government levy introduced in 2015 to reduce the use of carrier bags which are harmful to the environment. As part of the levy, every penny raised through the sales of 5p carrier bags goes to charity.
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