Two Weymouth community groups helped by £1,000 Co-op fund (From Dorset Echo)

Two Weymouth community groups helped by £1,000 Co-op fund

4:30pm Sunday 9th September 2012 in News

Donations of almost £1,000 from the Co-operative’s Community Fund have helped two community groups in the Weymouth area.

Greenacre Project landed £500 to buy a polytunnel for the garden, and Community Resource Team Drumming were given £490 to replace instruments.

The Community Fund is created by members of the Co-operative Group who elect to donate all, or part, of their twice-yearly dividend payments directly to the scheme. The funds are then shared with local community projects and groups across the country.

Fay Bowden, from The Co-operative’s membership team for Weymouth, said: “Because our members own the business, they get a share in any of the profits we make.

“It’s a scheme we’re very proud of, not only because it gives us the chance to thank members for shopping with us, but because so many people choose to give something back to local communities.” Co-operative members receive a payment twice a year based on the points they earn when they trade at any of the Group’s businesses, including The Co-operative Food, Travel, Pharmacy and Funeralcare, as well as The Co-operative Bank, Smile and The Co-operative Insurance.

“There is around £600,000 available in this region each year from the Community Fund, and we welcome applications from local groups and projects for £100 to £2,000,” said Fay.

Community Fund application forms are available online at co-operative. coop/communityfund or by phoning 0844 262 4001.