Gifts donated in support of toy appeal as Co-op Christmas lorry stops off in Derby

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 12/11/2019


Dozens of people flocked to see the Co-op Christmas lorry in Derby and drop off presents for local youngsters as part of a festive toy appeal.

The lorry stopped off at the Littleover Co-op, in Burton Road, as part of a special event designed to collect in as many presents and stocking fillers as possible from customers and members.

The gifts were then handed to representatives from local good cause the Hope Centre and will now be given to children who otherwise might miss out on a gift this Christmas.

Over 100 presents in total were donated as part of the collection event.

Tony Willis, Littleover Store Manager, said: “We had an amazing response to the special collection event and the Co-op Christmas lorry with over 100 items in total handed over.

“But if you did not manage to visit during the event you can still donate an item to the appeal throughout November at special donation points in all Central England Co-op stores in Derby.”

Denise Hawley, from the Hope Centre, said: “We want to say a big thank you to the people of Derby for their generosity and kindness in supporting the Central England Co-op Christmas Toybox Appeal.

“We were overwhelmed with the number of presents donated and cannot wait to spread some festive joy across the area by handing them out to children in need.”

For anyone who could not make it along to the special collection event, they can continue to drop their present or stocking filler at any Central England Co-op store via special collection points until the end of November.

Items that can be donated have to be new, unwrapped and can include puzzles, games, soft toys, outdoor toys, books, dolls/figures, CDs/DVDs and art materials.

Full details about the Christmas Toybox Appeal can be found here: https://bit.ly/2P8xWf9

 

Notes to editors

Picture caption: Representatives from the Hope Centre receive a donation of toys as part of the Central England Co-op Christmas Toybox Appeal special collection event held in Derby.

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