Westmorland Close Co-op in Macclesfield presents thousands of pounds to local causes
Beneficiaries included a Macclesfield eco group, a pre-school run as a charity, and a charity for children.
By Alex Greensmith
Posted: Monday, 20th November 2023 7:09 pm
The Co-op held a ceremony at Westmorland Close on Friday afternoon.
It was to present £3,477.73, distributed between three local causes.
The amount is generated by the Co-op Local Community Fund, which is a mixture of money raised by Co-op members just shopping for groceries, and the Co-op themselves topping the funding pot up.
Co-op membership costs just £1, and it doesn't cost you any extra to start raising money for local causes. All you have to do is buy your normal shopping list, and scan your Co-op card at the till, you can also earn money for yourself to spend in-store as thanks for your loyalty.
The £3,477, raised over the last twelve months, was given to a trio of charities which serve Macclesfield.
Friends For Leisure collected a cheque of £1,108.01.
The charity, which was founded in Macclesfield in the 1990s, was represented by Volunteer Coordinator Sean Worth.
"We're a small charity which provides leisure opportunities for disabled people across Cheshire East," said Sean.
"The Co-op donation is going to go towards the drama sessions we hold that take place in Macclesfield.
"Performing is fantastic in terms of creating imagination, boosting confidence and creating friendships.
"It is such a heartwarming, feelgood session, where both our young people and volunteers come together.
"I would like to say thank you so much to the Co-op and their members. The money that they have raised will be crucial to local young people, we can't thank you enough. And thank you so much for what they have done for you over the past year."
Friends for Leisure would be interested in applying to become a Co-op cause again in the future.
For more information about their theatre programme, please click HERE.
Park Royal Pre-school received £1,036.83. The Lyon Street early years education centre, which is run as a charity, receives little government funding.
Lisa Hodgkinson and Lindsey Scott (the latter who first became associated with the school as a parent in the early 1980s), were there to receive the Co-op Local Community Fund donation.
They are very grateful for the Co-op's donation.
"We will be using it to refurbish our outdoor area," said Lisa.
"We want to put some measures in place in the spring, encourage wildflower regeneration and educate children about this."
"We are hoping with the Co-op [money] to make the garden more exciting for our children too. We'd like to put some toy diggers and general equipment for the outside area in there," said Lindsey.
"Now more than ever, any funds we are able to raise will be invaluable to future generations of children at the pre-school, so just a massive thank you really," added Lisa.
"And to those in Macclesfield who don't know about it [the Local Community Fund], sign up and help your local causes," added Lindsey.
Co-op Member Pioneer Louise Little, who organised the event where the causes got together, is also a Park Royal Pre-school parent.
Speaking as a mum, she said. "I think having a garden is really important to pre-schoolers."
"Some of the children that live around the pre-school don't get much access to green and outdoor spaces. It is quite urban.
"So I think it will make a massive difference for them to be able to play outside, plant, and be with nature.
"Park Royal Pre-school have some really experienced staff who are really invested in gardening, wildlife, and teaching the children about produce and where your food comes from, and the children are fascinated by it."
Pre-school Leader Lindsey added: "I would also like to say thank you to the Co-op stores in Macclesfield, we've had prizes donated to fundraising raffles. It has been a really good partnership."
To read more about the green-thumbed plans at Park Royal Pre-school, please click HERE.
One Project Macclesfield saw the largest share of the spoils with £1,332.89.
From litter picking to flower planting, the charity is an all-encompassing brand of treating both the community and Mother Nature better.
One Project Macclesfield's Kate Ellis and Martin Handley explained where their portion of the Co-op Local Community Fund will be spent.
"We're thankful for the money from the Co-op," said Martin.
"It is going to be used to make major improvements to The Hive, which is our community space on Turnock Street."
"One Project Macclesfield stands for outreach, nature and environment," explained Kate.
"We work with the local community, hand out surplus food, and free items we are donated by local companies.
"We maintain gardens around the town, and at schools in Macclesfield.
"We recycle plastics that are hard to recycle, and have a swap shop in Macclesfield Indoor Market."
The inclusive charity also holds fun events like wreath-making workshops and pub quizzes.
"The Co-op money will go towards making the Hive a better community space for people," said Kate.
"We'd like to make it a warm space that will be open more regularly.
"We currently just use it to sort our plastics for recycling.
"We have a few groups who already meet at The Hive at night, we might have a few charities use it for meetings as well.
"We are really super grateful. We do all our fundraising ourselves, which is a lot of work as we both have full-time jobs outside of this, and have only had one grant before.
"We are so thankful, and the guys [at the Co-op] have been really really helpful as well."
For more information about One Project Macclesfield, 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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