Colleagues at the East of England Co-operative Society, the largest independent retailer in East Anglia, have raised a massive £39,000 for three Service charities.

The money was raised during a special fundraising week held in Co-op shops, branches and offices across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

A huge variety of events were organized and there were cake sales, raffles, tombolas, a car washing event, tug-of-war, and some weird and wonderful attire worn by store colleagues to promote the fundraising initiative.

All money raised from the fundraising week, and the profits from a concert given by The Band of The Parachute Regiment, is being shared equally between three Service charities, Help for Heroes, SSAFA Forces Help and the Colchester Garrison Welfare Fund.  It will be used to support Service personnel in the local area, including the new Help for Heroes Personnel Recovery Centre being built near Berechurch Road in Colchester.

On Thursday 22nd July, the charities joined in a celebration event at The Mansion, Wherstead Park, Ipswich, when colleagues from around the Society, who played a large part in raising such a fantastic sum of money, gathered to see the charities pick up a cheque for £13,000 each.

Richard Samson, Chief Executive of the East of England Co-operative Society said:  “I’m delighted that our fundraising week has been such a huge success giving us the opportunity to support three very worthy causes that do so much for Service personnel who have been affected by their experiences while serving overseas.

“This is the first time we have promoted a Society-wide activity like this and it’s a great achievement to have raised such a large sum of money.  Credit is due to everyone who took part and those who supported our fundraising efforts.”

Commander of Colchester Garrison, Colonel Tom Fleetwood said:  “This is a very kind gesture by the East of England Co-operative and we are extremely grateful for all of the fundraising that has taken place on behalf of the soldiers in the Garrison. 

“We have already put some of the money to good use to improve the playing field for children and dependents of soldiers of 16 Air Assault Brigade and we will use the remainder to support the families during the forthcoming tour of Afghanistan.”

Marianne West, Essex Co-ordinator for Help for Heroes said:  “On behalf of Help for Heroes I would like to thank colleagues at the East of England Co-operative Society for the amazing cheque for £13,000. 

“Every penny that has been raised will go towards helping Service men and women, particularly when they come to the new Personnel Recovery Centre in Colchester.”

Robin Newell, Chairman of Suffolk Branch of SSAFA Forces Help said:  “We deeply appreciate all of the efforts that have gone into the fundraising by the East of England Co-operative Society and thank everyone who contributed from the bottom of our hearts.

“None of you will truly appreciate what this very generous donation means to SSAFA Forces Help and the work that we do to support Service personnel and their families.”

PHOTO CAPTION:   Colleagues from across the East of England Co-operative Society gather together to hand over £39,000 to Service Charities:

At the front pictured left to right:  Roger Grosvenor, Group General Manager Trading, Richard Samson, Chief Executive, Gillian Bober, Society President, Marianne West from Help for Heroes, Colonel Tom Fleetwood Colchester Garrison Commander, Robin Newell and David Layte from SSAFA Forces Help

Note to editors:

The East of England Co-operative Society is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia and has over 200 trading outlets which are located in over 70 towns and villages including the three regional centres of Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester.  

The Society’s diverse business activities include: supermarkets and food stores, travel, pharmacy, optical and funeral branches, petrol forecourts, a Training Academy, and an Events and Conference Centre.

About the charities:

• Help for Heroes

H4H is a strictly non-political organisation.  It was launched in October 2007 and provides practical, direct support for the wounded in Britain’s current conflicts mainly through grants to other Service charities.  Its current focus is to raise money for grants to create a series of regional Recovery Houses to be built across the UK to assist servicemen and women in the last stage of rehabilitation before returning to their unit or transition back into civilian life.   The money they are receiving from this initiative will go towards the new centre in Colchester.
Visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk for more information.

• SSAFA Forces Help (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association)

The charity celebrates its 125th Anniversary in 2010.  It has a long history of providing help and support for those who serve in our Armed Forces, and those who used to serve.  It also cares for their families.   SSAFA helped over 50,000 people last year alone and its services reflect the financial, practical and emotional issues people face today.
Visit www.ssafa.org.uk for more information.

• Colchester Garrison Welfare Fund

The Colchester Garrison Welfare Fund provides direct support to Colchester based troops and their dependants.  Support is given to sporting activities, recreational facilities and running events and social activities such as visits and days out for soldiers and their families.

 
For further information please contact:

Miriam Harrup, Communications Manager, East of England Co-operative Society, Wherstead Park, The Street, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2BJ
email: m.harrup@eastofengland.coop