Bristol and Somerset store events raise money for six good causes

Nearly £19,000 has been raised by Bristol and Somerset co-operative colleagues and customers in 2019 for local causes close to their hearts.

Every year, each convenience store part of Southern Co-op, partners with a special local cause chosen by colleagues.

The Co-operative Food store colleagues then have a year to hold fundraising events in aid of the cause.

In 2019, six different local causes were chosen by the Bristol and Somerset stores including Children's Hospice South West, Clevedon and District Foodbank, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, The Brainwave Centre, The Royal Marines Charity, and Vallis First School.

Fundraisers for the charities were held by colleagues at 26 stores including Banwell's Knightcott Road, Bath's Widcombe Hill, Bedminster's North Street, Bridgwater's Stockmoor Park, Bristol's Ashley Down Road, Church Road, Gloucester Road, Longdown Avenue, Redcliffe Street, School Road, Two Mile Hill Road, Wells Road, and Whiteladies Road, Burnham on Sea's Berrow Road, Clevedon's Old Street, 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, Stoke Gifford's North Road, Taunton's Wellington New Road, and Yeovil's Mudford Road.

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op - the regional, independent co-operative, said: "Each of our stores has a budget which they can donate to special projects but this total is separate. Every penny has been raised by colleagues and customers who want to help the store's current charity partner.

"A lot of the causes are really small and may simply need help letting people know what they do. Then others have been running for years supporting hundreds of residents in their time of need.

"We are so proud of our colleagues who work tirelessly to give back to these causes. Thank you."

After a year of awareness days, fundraisers and challenges, 20 of the Bristol and Somerset stores are now in search of their next charity partner. Local causes are invited to apply to become a charity partner in 2020-21 as part of Southern Co-op's ‘Love Your Neighbourhood' programme.

The programme aims to create greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Amanda Gallagher, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser for Children's Hospice South West, said: "The support we've had from Southern Co-op in 2019 was phenomenal. From sponsoring our Rainbow Run to the teams getting involved and volunteering at our shops, I really can't thank them enough for their enthusiasm and determination to make a difference.

"Their fundraising helps support our three hospices across the south west and will help to make sure that we can continue to be here whenever families need us."

The stores looking for nominations are Banwell's Knightcott Road, Bath's Widcombe Hill, Bedminster's North Street, Bridgwater's Stockmoor Park, Bristol's Church Road, Gloucester Road, Longdown Avenue, Redcliffe Street, Two Mile Hill Road, Wells Road, Whiteladies Road, Burnham on Sea's Berrow Road, Cotford St. Luke's Graham Way, Hanham's Memorial Road, Keynsham's Queens Road, Nailsea's Hannah More Road, Norton Fitzwarren's Morse Road, Pill's Baltic Place, Stoke Gifford's North Road, and Yeovil's Mudford Road.

Causes are encouraged to visit their local store as soon as possible to request an application form. To find out more about Southern Co-op's charity partners, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/makingadifference/local-partnerships