Macmillan services across Lincolnshire and areas of Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Yorkshire will share a £242,751 donation, thanks to community fundraising by Lincolnshire Co-op’s colleagues, members and customers.
This total far surpasses the £200,000 fundraising target announced by the retailer at the start of the campaign in March.
The funds could support the Cancer Information & Support Team on the Macmillan Support Line for 45 days. In this time, they could support 4,519 people affected by cancer who want questions answered or who need practical or financial support.
The efforts of Lincolnshire Co-op members, colleagues and customers combined through the retailer’s Community Champions scheme to raise this significant amount.
A donation was made each time a member shopped with their dividend card, and also when customers dropped change into donation pots in Lincolnshire Co-op outlets. Colleagues also organised events such as bake sales, bingo nights and sponsored walks.
Sara Barrett, learning and development manager at Lincoln’s support centre, ran a marathon in her hometown, Grimsby. She stopped by local Lincolnshire Co-op food stores on her way, including Scartho, Waltham, Holton le Clay and Coniston Avenue, and raised over £4,000 from more than 100 sponsors.
Sara said: “I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who sponsored me. When I first started fundraising, I set a target to raise £500, which I already thought would be a challenge.
“To raise over ten times my initial target is unbelievable, and I think it goes to show how many people have been touched by this fantastic cause.”
Members of Lincolnshire Co-op voted to choose Macmillan as a Community Champion. Prior to this, the local co-op last fundraised for the charity in 2010 and raised £90,000.
Ellen Lusardi (left), senior relationship fundraising manager at Macmillan, said: “We want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Lincolnshire Co-op who has been involved in the campaign.
“It really has been an incredible six months, and we’re just blown away at what was achieved, both in terms of the amazing £242,751 that’s been raised and also the work done to spread awareness of Macmillan’s services in the area.”
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