£20,000 donation from The Southern Co-operative up for grabs in Wickham
The Southern Co-operative store in Wickham is calling on local good causes to apply for up to £20,000 funding in its new Community Support Card scheme shortly to be launched for 2013.
The Southern Co-operative is a Corporate Partner of Hampshire Fare and the Wickham store prides itself in being at the hub of the Wickham community and supports many community events and fundraising activities. Last year, 1st Wickham Scout Group and Meon Valley Lions Club each received £10,000 from The Southern Co-operative's Community Support Card (CSC) scheme. The store also sponsors local events including Wickham Festival and Wickham Charity Beer Festival, and at the town's Christmas lights switch on, store colleagues handed out hundreds of warm mince pies! As part of its co-operative ethos, The Southern Co-operative also encourages colleagues to volunteer in the local community; in Wickham, they visit Wickham CofE Primary school every week to mentor pupils and help them learn to read, and also visit Ashley Down Nursing Home each month to spend time chatting with residents.
The store's Retail Business Manager, Pete Wearn said: 'It's important for us to be part of local life here in Wickham. We are very open to local groups and event organisers approaching us for help and support with community activities.' Pete added: 'Our CSC scheme is a great way for local charities and organisations such as school PTAs to raise thousands of pounds with the support of our customers. It doesn't cost customers anything; they simply present a green CSC card, which we issue free, every time they purchase goods in-store. If you know of a local good cause which would benefit from a share of £20,000 to be donated this year, do encourage them to visit the store and complete a CSC application form.'
The closing date for CSC applications is the end of March. To find out more, visit The Southern Co-operative in Wickham Square.
Look out for the'Local Flavours'range of food and drink sourced from Hampshire available in the Wickham store.