More than £170,000 has been raised by co-operative colleagues and customers across Southern Co-op stores in southern England.

Thousands of pounds will be shared between 157 separate charities and good causes which were the 2021 local partners of The Co-operative Food stores.

The money was raised through collection pots and fundraising activities at the Southern Co-op stores and will be rounded up to make sure each charity receives at least £1,000.

Holly Bramble, Community Lead at the regional, independent co-operative, said: “Each of these local causes makes a difference in their local community. It is incredibly important to us, our colleagues and our members to make sure we support them in their efforts – whether that is a local school working to be more sustainable, or a charity which cares for people in need.

“So we’d like to thank every shopper who put their pennies in the collection pots and every colleague who organised a fundraising activity. It’s been a tough few years but it is wonderful to see people continuing to support each other where they can.”

Every year, each of Southern Co-op’s local food stores choose a local partner which aims to create greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Southern Co-op’s Love Your Neighbourhood programme also enables charities and local causes to apply for grants of up to £500 to help sow the seeds to a secure, stronger future for everyone.

To find out more about local funding and other support available, visit www.neighbourly.com/SouthernCoop/campaigns.

Berkshire and Surrey

HeBrews, a PayAsYouFeel Coffee Shop in Addlestone, is one of the charities to benefit and is on a mission to minimise the levels of wasted good food whilst providing free/affordable food to members of our local community.

More than £1,280 was raised by colleagues and customers at The Co-operative Food in Addlestone, Church Road.

Carol Edmondson, Hebrews Treasurer, said: “This is a wonderful amount which will enable us to replace a large wooden outdoor table, which was recently vandalised, along with the purchase of new outdoor cafe furniture.

“The Church Road, Addlestone branch of the Co-op has been a great support to our Community Pay As You Feel coffee shop and continues to signpost customers in need to us. Hebrews is able to support families and individuals with FareShare products and referral to the Runnymede Foodbank, if needed.

“The staff are also very helpful by accepting our deliveries of donated bread from Warburtons during the school holidays. This is used by our Loaves and Fishes project which provides free packed lunches to children, regardless of their circumstances, during the holidays. With grateful thanks for all their hard work and support.”

The other local causes benefitting from the funding from Berkshire stores are Assisting Berkshire Children to Read, Binfield Preschool, Brightwells Gostrey, Cancer Research, Chobham Rugby Club, Eight Bells for Mental Health, Epsom & Ewell Foodbank, Farnham Heath End School PTA, Friends of Staines Community Centre, Little Oaks Pre-school, Marie Curie – East Surrey Nursing Service, Moor House School, National Animal Welfare Trust Berkshire – Trindledown Farm, Shooting Star Chase, Spinney House, Stepgates Community School, The Children’s Trust, The Hedgehogs, and Trinity St Stephen Church of England First School.

Stores that took part in the fundraising in Berkshire were The Co-operative Food in Binfield’s Forest Road, Binfield’s Oakmede Place, Lambourn’s High Street, Newbury’s Brummell Road, Newbury’s Pound Street, Windsor’s Arthur Road, and Wokingham’s Market Place.

Stores that took part in the fundraising in Surrey were The Co-operative Food in Addlestone’s Church Road, Addlestone’s New Haw Road, Banstead’s Nork Way, Camberley’s Frimley Road, Chertsey’s Fordwater Road, Chobham’s Bagshot Road, Farnham’s Farnborough Road, Oxted’s Station Road, Reigate’s London Road, Rowledge’s The Square, Staines’s Laleham Road, West Ewell’s Ruxley Lane, and Wrecclesham’s Wrecclesham Road.

Bristol and Somerset

More than £5,800 was raised at 13 stores for Julian Trust – a Night Shelter for homeless people and rough sleepers in Bristol.

Joanne Brown, Trustee at Julian Trust, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to be chosen by Southern Co-op for your fundraising. The Julian Trust is wholly staffed and managed by volunteers and relies entirely on voluntary donations of food and money in order to feed and accommodate homeless people and rough sleepers in Bristol so this money will go directly towards our mission – to offer ‘a hot meal, a bed for the night and a warm welcome’ to those in need.

“We are planning to carry out a well-overdue replacement of our floor in the night shelter this summer so your fantastic fundraising will be utilised towards that. This will ensure that the work of the volunteers can continue and the maintenance of the building will be safe for the future. We couldn’t do any of this without your valuable support.”

A further £600 was raised in May this year for the Ukraine DEC Appeal as a number of store colleagues took part in a hike up Pen Y Fan.

The other local causes benefitting from the funding are 34th Weston-Super-Mere Scouts, BARB Search and Rescue, Conquest Centre, Dorothy House Hospice Care, Kingshill Friends Association, Marie Curie Bridgwater Fundraising Group, The Hub – Yeovil Community Support Charity, The Royal Marines Charity, and Vallis First School.

Stores that took part in the fundraising in Bristol and Somerset were The Co-operative Food in Banwell’s Knightcott Road; Bath’s Widcombe Hill; Bedminster’s North Street; Bridgwater’s Stockmoor Park; Bristol’s Ashley Down Road, Church Road, Longdown Avenue, Redcliffe Street, School Road, Two Mile Hill Road, Wells Road, and Whiteladies Road; Burnham on Sea’s Berrow Road; Cotford St.Luke’s Graham Way; Frome’s Nunney Road; Hanham’s Memorial Road; Keynsham’s Queens Road; Nailsea’s Hannah More Road; Norton Fitzwarren’s Morse Road; Pill’s Baltic Place; Portishead’s Port Marine; Taunton’s Wellington New Road; and Yeovil’s Mudford Road.

Devon

More than £3,000 was raised at two stores for Dream-A-Way – an Exeter based charity helping to make dreams come true for Devon’s children and adults with disabilities or life affecting health conditions.

The store manager in Exmouth’s Exeter Road Daryn Liddel said: “We were able to raise the money by working closely with Dream-A-Way. I have helped personally clean their caravans for their guests and we have given donations to support them. Plus we have given them hampers and our great customers have put money into the collection tins. I am sure all the team will be delighted with this figure raised.”

Shelley Potter, ambassador and management committee member at Dream-A-Way, said: “We can’t thank you and your customers enough. Every single penny will let us help even more disabled people of any age.

“We have a terminally ill man who will be staying in one of our brand new caravans right by the sea spending some precious time with the family which is a free week with us thanks to your help.

“Dreams have come true for local families to have time to make some special precious memories for life which is very short. For some of our guests it’s their first ever holiday so your help and support means so much and pretty priceless for sure.”

The other local causes benefitting from the funding are 17th Exeter Alphington Scouts, Exmouth Friends in Need, Friends of Bow School, and Pete’s Dragons.

Stores that took part in the fundraising in Devon were The Co-operative Food in Bow’s Burston Cross Road, Cranbrook’s Younghayes Road, Exeter’s Alphington Road, Exeter’s Buddle Lane, Exmouth’s Brixington Parade, and Exmouth’s Exeter Road.

Dorset

More than £1,000 was raised at stores in Blandford and Weymouth for Teddy 20 – a charity based in Blandford Forum supporting children with cancer.

Founder Owen Newton, who set the charity up in memory of his youngest son Ted who had a very rare form of bone cancer, said: “We are pleased with all the support that Southern Co-op has given Teddy20. We’ve recently updated Ted’s Shack (our Respite Holiday Home) in Weymouth and there are a number of items that we need to replace such as the TV. So the donation has come at the perfect time.”

The other causes benefitting from the funding are Alzheimer’s Research UK, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, Forest Holme Hospice Charity, Headlines Craniofacial Support, Julia’s House, Life Education Wessex, Poole Hospital – Children’s Ward, Shafetesbury Abbey CE Primary PTFA, St Gregory’s Primary School PTFA, Three Ells Trust, Townsend Youth Partnership, and Walford Mill Crafts.

Stores that took part in the fundraising in Dorset were The Co-operative Food in Bearwood’s King John Avenue; Blandford’s Salisbury Road; Bournemouth’s Belle Vue Road, Castle Lane, East Howe Lane and Madeira Road; Creekmoor’s Northmead Drive; Parkstone’s Penn Hill Avenue; Poole’s Ringwood Road and Tatnam Road; Portland’s Weston Road; Shaftesbury’s Beaufoy Close; Sturminster’s Station Road; Verwood’s Ringwood Road; Weymouth’s Chickerell Road; and Wimborne’s Wimborne Road.

Hampshire

More than £4,500 was raised at seven stores for Chestnut Tree House – providing care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions in Sussex and South East Hampshire.

Alison Taylor, Corporate Fundraising Manager for Chestnut Tree House, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who has supported Chestnut Tree House. Without the support from businesses like Southern Co-op, we wouldn’t be able to continue to support the children and families throughout Sussex and South East Hampshire.

“It means so much to everyone and you are helping to create some wonderful memories. On behalf of everyone at Chestnut Tree House, Thank You.”

The other local causes benefitting from the funding are 1st Alderholt Scout Group, 1st Gosport Scouts, 28th Itchen North Scout Group, Acts of Kindness Community (Solent), Age Concern Cowplain, Alresford Pigs Association, Augusta Park Community Centre, Blossom Development Trust, Brain Tumour Research, Brune Park School, Buckland Community Centre, Clanfield Junior School, Clever Never Goes – Action Against Abduction, Court Lane Infant Community Association, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, Eastleigh Basics Bank, Enable Ability, Friends of Lyndhurst Surgery, Friends of Four Marks, Friends of Lanterns, Friends of Limington House, Friends of PICU, Friends of Titchfield School, Gang Warily Scout and Guide HQ, George’s Rockstars, Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service GAFIRS, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Hampshire Search and Rescue, Havant and East Hants Mind, Headway Basingstoke, Jane Scarth House – Romsey Cancer Support, League of Friends Romsey Hospital, LifeHouse Food Kitchen for the Homeless, Lions Community Store, Losing my Sight, Marie Curie, Milford-on-Sea C of E Primary School, Motiv8 South, National Coastwatch, Overton Playgroup, Parkside, Pilgrims Cross School, PLANETS Charity, Portsea Event Group, Romsey Young Carers, Rowans Hospice, Society of St James, Southampton Hospital Charity, St Andrews Football Club, St Francis Animal Welfare, Stand Up, The Peak Centre, The Kings Arms, The Point – Tadley and District Community Association, The Warren Youth Club, Tuppenny Barn, Velmore Community Association, Victoria’s Promise, WAMs, and Wave 105 Cash for Kids.

Isle of Wight

More than £2,800 was raised at stores in Freshwater, Rookley and Cowes for KissyPuppy – The Sophie Rolf Trust which is continuing to provide support to children on the Isle of Wight suffering from life-shortening conditions after the death of Sophie in 2013.

Aaron Rolf, Sophie’s father, said: “Wow! That’s an amazing amount, it really is. Thank you to each and every person that helped.

“Every single penny raised is used to ensure we are able to continue what we are doing in our partnership with Mountbatten Hospice; whether that is the ongoing costs for the hospice facilities for children and their families, the bereavement service we fund that is open to any and all, the Play Nurses equipment or the summer and Christmas parties that enable children and their families to make some wonderful memories… to name but a few things.

“No costs are deducted for staffing etc – myself, Gemma, and friends and family freely give their time to ensure we can give every available choice to Island families. Thank you so much for this amazing amount.”

The other causes benefitting from the funding are RSPCA IOW, Suicide Prevention & Intervention, The Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum Ltd, Wessex Cancer Trust, and West Wight Nursery.

Stores that took part in the fundraising on the Isle of Wight were The Co-operative Food in Bembridge’s Sherbourne Street, Carisbrooke’s High Street, Cowes’s Mill Hill, Freshwater’s Afton Road, Freshwater’s Avenue Road, Rookley’s Main Road, Ryde’s West Street, Sandown’s Avenue Road, and Shanklin’s Regent Street.

Kent and London

A total of £1,000 was raised in Seasalter for the KM Charity Team which delivers educational and environmental programmes to schools and children across Kent and Medway.

Mike Ward, CEO, said: “The KM Charity Team’s programmes give children the knowledge and motivation to be the best they can be. Over the last two years it has been a struggle for all charities and so this amazing donation and support is a much needed contribution that means we can continue to reach children who need our help.

“This money will contribute to the costs of the delivery of our Buster’s Book Club Programme – helping children achieve the literacy levels they need to be able to fully engage in their educational journey and giving them the best chance of a positive future – something we all benefit from. Thank you again for your continued support.”

The other causes benefitting from the funding are 5th Bromley Scout Group, Bromley Mencap, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, Godinton Primary School, Lenham Meadows Trust, Minster Day Nursery, Place2Be, The Marlborough School Foundation, Whistable Street Pastors, and Woodlands Academy.

Stores that took part in the fundraising in Kent and London were The Co-operative Food in Ashford’s Loudon Way, Bromley’s Holmsdale Road, Chislehurst’s White Horse Hill, Ealing’s Uxbridge Road, Lenham’s Faversham Road, Minster’s Monkton Road, Seasalter’s Faversham Road, Shirley’s Orchard Way, Sidcup’s The Oval, Whitstable’s Cromwell Road, and Wimbledon’s Ridgeway

Sussex

More than £2,100 was raised in East Wittering for the Wittering District 1st Responders – which help provide emergency life saving care to patients.

A lot of the money raised came from raffles, dress up day, till collections and books that were donated by colleagues which started during the pandemic as a lot of customers were missing the library and not meeting friends and family.

William Craven, Secretary to the 1st Responders, said: “The Trustees and the Responders of the Wittering & District 1st Responders would like to thank all the staff and customers of the East Wittering Co-op for their generous donation to our funds.

“We will continue to work with the Ambulance Service to provide a first response to emergencies that occur in our area. We will also maintain and look for new sites for AED’s which have proved life saving in the past. This donation will assist us to continue this work. We rely on donations such as this to continue the service that we give to the community.”

The other causes benefitting from the funding in East Sussex are Cat Call, Chestnut Tree House, Martlets Hospice, Norfolk Square Group, St Wilfrid’s Hospice Eastbourne, Sussex Homeless Support, Wadhurst Warriors, and You Raise Me Up.

The other causes benefitting from the funding in West Sussex are 8th Burgess Hill Scouts, Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, Chestnut Tree House, Community Transport Sussex, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, Ferring Country Centre, Fordwater School PTFA, Friends Fighting Cancer, Friends of Lavant Primary School, Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station, Love Your Hospital, Nyewood C of E Infant School, The Apuldram Centre, and The Princess Royal Hospital – Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals charity.

Stores that took part in the fundraising in Sussex were The Co-operative Food in Angmering’s The Square, Bognor Regis’s Hawthorn Road, Bognor Regis’s Rose Green Road, Bosham’s Delling Lane, Bosham’s Station Road, Broadbridge Heath’s Wickhurst Square, Burgess Hill’s Junction Road, Burgess Hill’s London Road, Chichester’s Bognor Road, Chichester’s Lavant Road, Chichester’s Oliver Whitby Road, Chichester’s Spitalfield Lane, Chichester’s Stockbridge Road, East Preston’s Station Parade, East Wittering’s Cakeham Lane, Eastbourne’s Beatty Road, Eastbourne’s Lindfield Road, Eastbourne’s Seaside, Falmer’s Bramber House (Sussex Uni), Ferring’s Ferring Street, Haywards Heath’s Franklynn Road, Horsham’s Guildford Road, Hove’s Old Shoreham Road, Hove’s Portland Road, Hove’s Western Road, Portslade’s Abinger Road, Selsey’s High Street, St Leonards’s Battle Road 290, St.Leonards’s Battle Road 100, Wadhurst’s Sparrow Green Road, and Yapton’s Main Road.

Wiltshire

A total of £1,000 was raised in Salisbury for the John McNeill opportunity centre which has been supporting pre-school children with disabilities and learning difficulties since 1979.

Angela Bryant, Manager, said: “We would certainly like to thank all your customers and staff for the wonderful support they have given us and is much appreciated.

“We will use this money to provide sensory resources for the children. Our sensory garden needs some more equipment to benefit the children with special needs and disabilities – windchimes, musical bells, more plants and shading etc.”

The other causes benefitting from the funding in Wiltshire are Dorothy House Hospice Care, John McNeill opportunity centre, River Bourne Community Farm, and Shrewton Recreational Charity.

Stores that took part in the fundraising in Wiltshire were The Co-operative Food in Bradford on Avon’s Winsley Road, Corsham’s Macey Drive, Mere’s The Square, Salisbury’s Kelsey Road, Salisbury’s Old Sarum, and Shrewton’s High Street.