Bollington Co-op presents massive amount of money to Bollington-based causes
A trio of local causes in Bollington received thousands of pounds from the Co-op on Friday.
By Alex Greensmith
Posted: Monday, 20th November 2023 4:30 pm
Bollington Co-op presented £7,603 to three Bollington organisations on Friday.
The incredible amount of money was raised by the Co-op and its members, who have raised funds for 12 local causes in the Macclesfield area over the past year.
In a ceremony on Friday morning, the three Bollington-based recipients of the Local Community Fund, received their share of funds raised for them over the last 12 months.
The grateful community heroes behind the causes met with Co-op colleagues to show their gratitude for the cash generated.
You too can raise funds just by shopping and becoming a Co-op member. All it costs is just one £1.
The Bridgend Centre in Bollington received the most of the three causes.
The Palmerston Street charity received £2,745.
Centre Manager Rebecca Lea explained what the superb sum will be spent on.
"It is going to be paying for a woodwork tutor to do classes in our workshop," said Rebecca.
"And this month, we will be making a bird box."
The classes are held once a month, and tie in with the Bridgend Centre's goals to curb loneliness by bringing people together in the community.
Rebecca shared how it helps achieve the goal of the charity.
"It is teaching people a new skill and it helps with people's confidence", explained Rebecca.
"It also gives them a great opportunity to socialise with other people.
"Each workshop has four people on a course, so you get a lot of attention from the teacher."
They were a Co-op cause for the second year in a row, meaning that since September 2021, the Co-op has raised £6,944 for The Bridgend Centre.
They will not be a Co-op cause next year, but Rebecca is keen to sign up to the Local Community Fund again in the future.
"Thank you so much to the Co-op and their members for choosing us", said Rebecca.
"We really appreciate it."
For more information about The Bridgend Centre and their woodworking workshop, please click HERE.
Bollington United received £2,437.18. It was their first time as a Co-op cause. They have football teams for girls, boys and adults.
Andrew Seldon, who coaches U13 sides at Bollington United FC, said: "The funds will be used to provide a better playing surface for the children."
"It will also be put towards investment into new changing facilities.
"It is important to the club as we need to maintain the players we have got to improve the standard of playing, and give them the best experience they can have."
Bollington United have ambitions of providing Bollington's first 3G pitch, as well as introducing more teams for everyone to participate in.
Andrew, who has been at Bollington United for six years, added: "I'd like to thank the Co-op and their members greatly.
"It is an excellent contribution that will go a long way."
To find more about Bollington United FC, please click HERE.
The ALEX Project received £2421.35. They are a Bollington-based support group which help people across the shires and north west, who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, as well as their family.
The ALEX Project Chair Chris Loughran said: "For Parkinson's disease sufferers, one of the problems that we have is immobility, stiffness and slowness of movement. That means that we can't often access facilities that we'd normally take for granted."
"So for example, we get together every Wednesday at Bollington Health and Leisure to offer that. We have physiotherapy, activities in the swimming pool and a chance for people to come together.
"Those disabilities which afflict patients with Parkinson's, can have a psychological impact which isolate them from the community. So to have such a generous donation from the Co-op and Co-op Members of Bollington, is great in terms of widening our social impact and keeping people active and mobile.
"It has been shown that the only thing that pushes Parkinson's back in terms of disease repression, is exercise."
It was the first year The ALEX Project have been a Co-op cause.
Marilyn Alderson's partner had Parkinson's disease. She volunteers at the charity, and writes welcome letters
"Thank you to the Co-op and their members", said Marilyn.
"Everything we do relies on donations. We are really careful with our money records to show where everything goes.
"We run a lot of different therapies, and the therapies are all professionals at the top of their game who have to be paid.
"We are working all the time to make sure we have funds to pay them.
"I found the social aspect beneficial especially. I can speak from experience too for the spouses of partners. To be able to talk to somebody else about things that are happening, especially as it is a progressive disease.
"People don't always respect people with it, they see someone who is a bit wobbly they think they are drunk but they are not, it is just the muscle movement."
According to Parkinson's UK, one in 37 of us will get it in our lifetime.
Grenville Leah, of The ALEX Project, added: "I'd like to say one of the problems with Parkinson's disease is that somebody would be diagnosed by a consultant, who will then say 'Goodbye I'll see you in 12 months'. And from the NHS, that is all the support they get.
"So we are stepping in to help out with isolation basically. A lot of people that I have spoke to have been rather nervous about being comfortable over people knowing that they've got Parkinson's.
"But they feel when they talk to us, they are free. They can talk to people, we are all in the same boat as them.
"Thank you very, very much to the Co-op and their members for the generous donation."
For more information about The ALEX Project, please click HERE.
Co-op membership helps support your local community, with great rewards for you too.
When you buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes to you and the Co-op gives the same to local communities.
Become a Co-op Member today online at this webpage or in-store.
To find out more about the Local Community Fund or to become a Co-op Member please click on the red links in this sentence.
If you run a cause that would be suitable for the Local Community Fund, keep your eyes peeled to Macclesfield Nub News's Co-op Community noticeboard to find out when applications open.
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