Local communities across the south of England are set to receive a boost this winter thanks to Southern Co-op’s Magical Moments.
The new festive initiative combines £75k in funding for local causes, with 500 free Christmas shops on offer in stores throughout December.
Through its annual 2025 Winter Fund, Southern Co-op will award 50 grants of £1,500 to charities, food banks and community groups providing warm spaces and food to those in need this winter.
Delivered in partnership with Neighbourly, a community-giving platform that connects businesses with local causes, the fund is now in its third year.
He scheme has previously supported a wide range of initiatives offering essential help to vulnerable members of the community through the colder months, with donations made to over 100 good causes since the Winter Fund began in 2023.
Southern Co-op will also be surprising customers at random with 500 free Christmas shops for £30 each across its retail stores during December. The initiative is designed to help ease some of the financial pressure that the festive season can bring as households continue to face rising living costs, as well as add some extra festive cheer at the tills.
Throughout the month, select lucky shoppers will have their festive shopping paid for, whether they’re stocking up on the essentials or choosing special items from the Irresistible Range to add that extra magic to Christmas Day.
Simon Eastwood, COO at Southern Co-op, said: “Winter presents real challenges for many communities, and Magical Moments is all about offering tangible support when it’s needed most, as well as bringing those unexpected moments of joy to people’s day.
“Over the next few months, our colleagues will play an essential role in our campaign, with members of our head office working alongside store teams, which is a great reminder of what being a co-operative is really all about.”
For the 2025 Winter Fund, applications are open now here via Neighbourly, and close on 30 November 2025.
Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to standard vetting checks, and is open to groups across Berkshire, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, London, Somerset, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire.
No comments yet