Heart of England Co-operative Society raises £50,000 for Guide Dogs

Staff and customers at the Heart of England Co-operative Society have helped raise a fantastic £50,000 for Guide Dogs.

It follows a two-year corporate partnership between the retailer and the charity, in which staff across the Society’s network of 33 Food stores and 13 Funeral homes across Coventry, Warwickshire, south Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, organised an array of activities.

Among the activities which have taken place over the past two years were football tournaments and car washes.

Every penny raised will go to general costs for the Guide Dogs’ Central Midlands Team which covers Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

Specifically it will be used towards the rearing and training of puppies – which reach £5,000 in the puppy’s first year, and around £50,000 for the lifetime of a dog.

Liz Gilbert, Community Fundraiser with the charity, said: “We would like to thank everyone at the Heart of England Co-operative Society, as well as their members and customers, for their amazing, life-changing support over the past two years.

“With every hour that passes another person in the UK loses their sight, and we are totally reliant upon businesses such as the Heart of England Co-operative Society, as well as individual donations, to help those who experience sight loss not only to retain their independence, but to continue living a full life and to feel confident, independent and supported in the world.

“Thank you Heart of England Co-op for your life-changing contribution.”

One guide dog owner, who has benefited from the services of the charity, added: “I got so scared of going out and leaving the house even with my cane so I decided to apply for a guide dog. After qualifying with my first guide dog I started to go out on my own and rebuilding my life and independence and there is nowhere I won’t go. I just got braver with my dog by my side and now I feel I live a normal life and it’s unbelievable how my dog has changed my life.”

Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Society, thanked all the staff, members and customers, who had helped raise the £50,000.

He added: “Guide Dogs provides a crucial service for the growing number of people with little or no sight.

“We have built an excellent relationship with the charity over the past two years and are delighted to donate this fantastic sum of money which has been raised with the help of our generous members, customers and staff.”

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