A Ruddington charity which was set up four years’ ago to give a better quality of life to dementia sufferers and their families has been the first to officially receive its cash from the 2020-2021 round of the Co-op Local Community Fund.
Local shoppers raised a total £5232.13 for Bloomin’ Dementia, based on Easthorpe Street, and representatives were presented with their cheque at the Church Street Food Store yesterday (November 25th). Pictured above (L to R) are store manager Chris Bradbury, Amy Louise Troke & Andy Hallam from Bloomin’ Dementia, and Co-op Member Pioneer Gwen Eyre.
Then, today, a cheque for £4331.12 was presented by Gwen to First Ruddington Scouts to fund improvements to their Scout Hut.
A third cheque for £3723.27 raised for sporting organisation StepOutStayOut in Clifton – which will be used to buy new football kit and enable a trip to St George’s Park for its younger members – is due to be presented within the next few days.
“This is an amazing initiative which raises much needed funds for small local causes to address the needs of different communities in the UK” says Gwen. “Over the last 5 years the Co-op LCF has raised over £100 million pounds but more importantly to me this equates to nearly £70000 to causes here in Ruddington and Clifton, to address concerns around fair access to food, mental and physical well being and developing skills and opportunities for young people.”
Gwen adds: “The best thing about the Local Community Fund is that it doesn’t cost our customers more than £1! All they have to do is become a member (for £1), swipe their membership card every time they shop and they will generate money for local causes and money off for themselves. Win win! On behalf of the Ruddington store and the Clifton Funeral Care I would just like to thank all our members for making the Local Community Fund such a success.”
Fundraising for the new local community causes for 2021/2022 has already begun. These (shown below) are Ruddington Village FC, Summerwood Community Gardens and Parkgate Community Kitchen.
Co-op members in Ruddington who would like to pick a specific cause to fundraise for, each time they shop, can select it now via the Co-op App, or by clicking >>HERE<<.
{Top two photos by Guy Wimhurst. Other images by Gwen Eyre}
