Heart of England Co-operative Society supports Guide Dogs for another year

A corporate partnership between the Heart of England Co-operative Society and the Guide Dogs charity has proven so successful the retailer has announced plans to extend it for another year.

The £25,000 raised in the first 12 months of the partnership came from a range of events organised across by staff across the Society’s Food and Funeral Divisions – including a football tournament and a car wash.

It also came from customer purchases of 5p carrier bags – a new charge imposed as part of the government scheme to reduce consumption of the single-use bags.

Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Co-operative Society, added: “We are delighted to support Guide Dogs for another year.

“Over the course of the past 12 months we have built an excellent relationship with the charity. We have come to learn more about the important work of its staff and volunteers who between them make a real difference to people, allowing them to continue living their lives independently with confidence.

The money will be used towards the support of a guide dog partnership which starts from the birth of the pup. Specifically it will go towards the rearing and training of a puppy – which mount to £5,000 in the first year – as well as the food, vets’ bills and other associated costs for the lifetime of the animal.

Over the course of a lifetime these costs can mount to £50,000 per dog.

Liz Gilbert, of Guide Dogs, said: “The money raised by the Heart of England Co-operative Society will go towards a guide dog puppy which will make a real difference and help change the life of a person living with sight loss.

“We can’t thank the staff and customers enough for their enthusiasm, dedication and generosity in supporting us and look forward to our next year working together in the local community.”

This is the 5th consecutive year the Society has organised a corporate partnership with a charity.

For the first two years the retailer raised funds for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, followed by The Myton Hospices, and now the Guide Dogs.

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