Central England Co-op celebrates raising over £1.1m for Dementia UK by announcing another year of working together

Posted by james brindle | Published: 18/09/2019

Central England Co-operative has thanked colleagues, customers and members for their incredible fundraising feats which have helped raise over £1.1 million for its charity partner Dementia UK as it announces a third year supporting the vital cause.

The Society has been supporting the charity for the past two years and during that time people across 16 counties have done everything from jumping out of planes and swimming the length of one of the country’s largest lakes, to holding cake sales and community events to raise funds.

Over £615,000 has been handed over in the form of donations, with a further £500,000 from money raised by Central England Co-op via the 5p carrier bag levy.

The money has been used to help pay for the creation of new Admiral Nurses, training and development for existing and new Admiral Nurses, the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline and Admiral Nurse clinics.

Dementia UK supports families affected by dementia through their Admiral Nurse service. Admiral Nurses work alongside people with dementia and their families and offer one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions so they can face dementia with more confidence and less fear.

The Nurses work across a range of care settings within the community, hospitals, hospices and care homes.

The Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline is available to anyone with queries or concerns about dementia. It is staffed by Admiral Nurses to ensure those with dementia and those caring for them get the best possible care and advice.

Following the success of the past two years, the Society has agreed to continue its fundraising partnership with Dementia UK for another 12 months.

Central England Co-operative Chief Executive Debbie Robinson said: “I am delighted that Central England Co-op will be continuing to partner with Dementia UK for 2019/20.

“I have been astounded by the fantastic feats that colleagues, customers and members have gone to in order to raise money for this great charity, as well as the continually creative ways they find to fundraise which reflects just how much this cause and the vital work they do has resonated.

“I cannot thank them all enough for their dedication and embodiment of the co-operative spirit. To have raised over £1.1 million in the two years of the relationship is a wonderful achievement and to know it has helped to improve the lives of those living with dementia and their families is truly humbling.”

Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO at Dementia UK, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Central England Co-operative in supporting us so we can be there for every family who needs specialist dementia support.

“The fact that the partnership is now entering its third year is testament to the dedication of the organisation and its customers. We have no doubt that we’ll hear of many more inspiring fundraising feats over the next year.”

Customers and members will be able to continue to support Dementia UK by donating via collection tins when they visit Food Stores, Funeral Homes or Travel Shops, and colleagues will be undertaking a wide range of different fundraising events to help raise funds during the next 12 months.

Current research and evidence on dementia indicates that one in three cases of dementia could be prevented by heeding the following advice:

• Stopping smoking
• Increasing physical activity 
• Keeping the brain active
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Improving diet by including a wide range of healthy foods
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Monitoring and treating physical health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes
• Keeping socially active

To find out more about prevention visit www.dementiauk.org/understanding-dementia/prevention-and-risk-factors/

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, travel shops, and property investment.

Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2019.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

Rob Smyth and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 421390

Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop

About Dementia UK

Dementia UK provides specialist dementia support for families through our Admiral Nurse service.

If you need advice or support on living with dementia contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org. The helpline is staffed by experienced Admiral Nurses, who give vital support by telephone or email. 

For more information visit www.dementiauk.org, follow Dementia UK on Twitter: @DementiaUK, and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DementiaUK1/