Ruddington’s Co-op Supermarket has today presented cheques totalling over fifteen thousand pounds to the three beneficiaries of last year’s ‘Local Community Fund’.
The grand local total for the 2018/2019 ‘Big Co-op Payout’ was £15,665.20 – comprising £5610.45 for Bloomin’ Dementia (top photo), plus £4827.65 for St. Peter’s Church and £5227.10 for Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park (below).
Bloomin’ Dementia volunteer Amy Troke said it’s great that all their events planned for the coming year have now been paid for thanks to Co-op customers: “We organise sing-a-longs and themed events around Christmas and Easter, a Summertime Ball – all quite small but great fun.”
Reverend Andrew Buchanan of St Peter’s Church told us: “On the third Monday of each month we run a Friendship Group, designed for those feeling isolated at home. So we’re going to use the money for their Christmas bash, transport for outings, and lots more.” St Peter’s administrator Nikki Roe added: “This group is one of a number of community services our church offers to Ruddington. The cash funds special experiences for the people – the big Christmas meal out, plus trips in the Spring. So as well as coming to the church to have that friendship and conversation, and take part the games – the Co-op money allows us to give them extra things we wouldn’t have been able to do without it.”
Jean Gray, of The Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park, says the cash will be a great boost for their current audio/visual project which will be bringing to life the fascinating history of this area of Ruddington: “It actually carries on from our ‘Bombs To Butterflies’ book using some of the recordings that were made about twenty years’ ago” explained Jean. “When it’s complete visitors will be able to come to our building at the Country Park and choose from sections about the park’s past – pre-war, during the war, and post-war – when it became an Ordnance depot and then a Country Park.”
Store manager Chris Bradbury presented the cheques and told RUDDINGTON.info: “It’s absolutely brilliant! One of the best days of the year for us – when we get to give back what we can to the community. We need to be a part of that and we need to support that.”
Co-op Member Pioneer for Ruddington and Clifton, Gwen Eyre, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. They’re three causes that mean a lot to me as a member of the Ruddington community”.
From 27th October 2019 until 24th October 2020 the three local ‘good causes’ chosen for Co-op cash are Ruddington District Girl Guiding, NG11 Foodbank and the Together@Clifton wellbeing group, who are now receiving cash from the new round of funding. You can read more about these groups >>HERE<<.
Gwen adds: “The Ruddington Co-op store and the Co-op Funeralcare in Clifton are now really excited to be working with the three new causes in the coming year. Anyone can apply for a membership card for £1. Then, every time a member shops at Co-op, 1% of what they spend on selected own-branded products and services goes to help fund community projects where they live.
“We also give all money raised from shopping bag sales to our causes, to help even more” added Gwen. “This made a total of £19 million given to local causes in November 2018. On top of this when members buy selected products and services from us, including our food stores, we put 5% of their spend into their Co-op Membership account.”
You can find more details at https://coop.co.uk/membership.
Today’s presentation follows the completion of a £1m interior refurbishment of Ruddington’s Co-op – which was officially relaunched at the end of October.
