Coventry community groups awarded more than £4,500 in latest Helping Hearts Awards

Charities and worthy causes across Coventry have received a slice of £4,525 in the latest round of awards from the Heart of England Co-operative Society’s Helping Hearts Awards Scheme.

Holy Cross Church Wyken, Coundon Care Centre and the 46th Coventry Scout Group were among those to benefit in the awards, which donates a percentage of the Society’s profits to community groups across its trading area in Coventry, Warwickshire, south Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

Get Together – a charity which works with families affected by autism – also benefited.

The charity, which provides a support network to help prevent isolation for children and adults living with the lifelong condition, used its money towards an event in the Miners’ Welfare Park in Bedworth.

Featuring a range of entertainment – including live music from The Speech, as well as martial arts demonstrations, dancing demonstrations and junior rugby, the awareness day was organised to raise funds for practical items for events going forward, to bring more families together and build their support network.

Kelly Mills, Chairperson of Get Together, said: “The event was a wonderful success with us raising over £3,500. The tables we were able to purchase were not only of great use for fundraising, but we have been able to use them in our sessions for setting up messy play and more recently they have been loaned to another small local charity to aid in one of their fundraising events.”

Other charities and worthy causes to benefit included Massey Ferguson Cricket Club, St Chad’s Anglican Church in Wood End and Holy Cross Church in Wyken.

Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Co-operative Society, said: “Get Together is a fantastic group which works tirelessly for families affected by autism. Open to families across the Coventry and Warwickshire community it is a vital lifeline for those in need of emotional and practical support. It is the perfect example of the type of community group we are able to help through our Helping Hearts Awards Scheme.”

Jo Dyke, Community and Membership Adviser of the Society, added: “For more than 17 years Helping Hearts has proudly supported some of the fantastic work that goes on every day in our communities. Over the years we have come into contact with countless people who selflessly give their time to improve the lives and quality of life for their less fortunate neighbours.

“But we know there are many more out there and Coventry is missing out on thousands of pounds which can be used directly to improve people’s lives.”

Jo issued a call for anyone who knows of a charity or community group which could use extra funding – whether a church, school, amateur theatre group or friendship group – to get in touch.

Awards range from £10 to £1,000 and non-profit making organisations are able to apply every 12 months.

For further details pick up an application form from any branch of The Co-operative Food or The Co-operative Funeralcare.

Alternatively call Jo on 024 7638 2331.

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