Stafford groups get boost from funding
Charities and good causes across the West Midlands have benefitted from a share of £50,000 from Central England Co-op.
37 groups shared the funds from the Community Dividend fund over 2019, the largest single amount being given was £5,000.
Silkmore Primary Academy in Stafford will use £2,000 to buy exciting pieces of equipment for its new trim trail project – a scheme that will boost physical activity, mental, emotional and social skills on land at the school.
Another school to benefit from the funds is Brocton Pre-School Playgroup in Stafford, who were awarded £1,700 to pay for outdoor activity equipment.
Other good causes to benefit includes art groups, community cinemas, breast care support projects and schemes designed to educate youngsters about the dangers of knife crime.
Everyone from schools and churches to support groups and volunteer organisations benefited from the fund that guarantees that at least one per cent of the Society’s trading profit is reinvested in local communities in a bid to help projects to thrive from the Midlands to the East Coast.
Grants of between £100 and £5,000 are handed out every three months to a wide range of applicants.
Debbie Robinson, chief executive of Central England Co-operative, said: “We have handed out £177,885 to projects in our communities in 2019 – with £50,915 of that being right here in the West Midlands.
“The Community Dividend Fund reflects a key principle of our society, in that we reward the loyalty of our customers by investing in and supporting local communities.
“The scheme helps to benefit a wide variety of projects, which will make the local area that we serve a better place for our members to live, work and visit.
“I would like to urge all of our members to get in touch and put forward a community cause close to their heart for the Community Dividend Fund scheme during the coming 12 months.”
