Convenience retailer Scotmid Co-operative says it has seen members and customers donate £22k to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Venezuela Earthquake Appeal in just four weeks through Pennies, the digital micro-donation charity it introduced across its stores in 2025.
The DEC appeal was launched after two devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands of people dead or injured.
DEC charities and their local partners are providing vital support to affected communities, including emergency shelter, food, clean water and medical care.
The £22k total highlights the impact of digital micro-donations at the point of sale, with the service live across Scotmid’s full retail estate in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England. Members and customers were able to add 10p to card and digital wallet payments during everyday purchases.
Individual donations
Across the appeal period, thousands of individual donations quickly added up to the impressive total, demonstrating how convenience retail “can help mobilise member and customer generosity at scale in response to major humanitarian emergencies,” Scotmid said.
Karen Scott, chief executive of Scotmid Co-operative, said: “Raising £22k in just four weeks is a fantastic achievement and shows the collective impact that optional donations at the till can have when members and customers are given a simple way to support urgent causes.
“We’re incredibly grateful to every member and customer who chose to donate. Each 10p donation contributes to something much bigger and, together, our members and customers have made a significant contribution to the DEC appeal and the vital work it supports.
“As a co-operative retailer, we believe our stores can play an important role in bringing people together around the causes that matter. It has been heartening to see that spirit reflected by our members and customers as part of the wider UK response to this emergency.”
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