Co-op Christmas Toybox Appeal donates over 2,000 gifts to Loughborough-based Rainbows Hospice
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 19/12/2019
Central England Co-op customers and members got into the festive spirit by donating over 2,000 presents and stocking fillers as part of the retailer’s first ever Christmas Toybox Appeal to Loughborough-based Rainbows Hospice.
The items were dropped off at special donation points located in all stores in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northants, Nottingham and Rutland or handed over to Santa’s elves as the Co-op Christmas lorry stopped off at food stores in Littleover (Derby), Coalville (Leicestershire), Oakham (Rutland) and Carlton in Lindrick (Nottingham) as part of one off collection events during November.
A total of 6,000 were collected across the East Midlands with over 2,000 sorted and dropped off at Rainbows this week – just in time for Christmas.
Kate Golding, Head of Organisational Giving at Rainbows, said: “On behalf of everyone at Rainbows, I would like to say the biggest thank you to all those who have donated to this very special appeal. People are so kind and we are very grateful for all of the toys that will benefit the children, young people and their siblings here at Rainbows.”
Other good causes to benefit included the Hope Centre, in Derby, Hinckley Food Bank, in Leicestershire, Rutland Food Bank, in Rutland, and Bassetlaw Food Bank, in Nottingham, to as many children as possible to ensure they have something to open on December 25.
Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-op Chief Executive, said: “On behalf of everyone involved with our Society, I want to say a big thank you to every customer, member and colleague who helped make our first ever Christmas Toybox Appeal a major success.
“Kind-hearted people have donated over 12,000 brand new presents and stocking fillers that are now going to bring smiles to the faces of thousands of youngsters up and down the country as they wake up on Christmas morning.
“We are so proud of the generosity shown by everyone who has supported this campaign and proud to be involved with some truly inspiring local good causes and charities who work not just at Christmas but all year round to make sure children get great support when they need it most.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped us here at Central England Co-op to give over 12,000 children a gift they will never forget this Christmas.”
Items donated included puzzles, games, soft toys, outdoor toys, books, dolls/figures, CDs/DVDs and art materials. There were also several giant unicorns and dinosaurs as well as bikes, scooters and even a mock Co-op shop.
Notes to editors
Picture caption: Jackie Abbey and Dylan Roundhill, 10, accepting some of the presents donated by Central England Co-op’s Christmas Toybox Appeal.
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 member 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