Midlands Co-op looks to double fundraising figures

Midlands Co-operative Society pledges to raise an overall target of £100K each year for its chosen charity. But, figures for the first six months of the campaign reveal that the company already exceeded this target, raising over £102,000 for BHF.

Staff, including those from retail stores, members and customers have gone the extra mile to contribute towards this total by purchasing BHF merchandise and organising a variety of fundraising events. Events organised by Midlands Co-op stores include; leg waxing, three peaks challenge, country music nights, skydiving jumps, Mad Hatters tea parties, themed fun days, raffles, tombolas and other sponsored activities to name just a few.

Tony Carroll, General Manager for Midlands Co-op Retail, said: “The amount raised to date highlights the continuous commitment of our staff, customers and members towards our charity partner. We are only at the beginning of a two-year partnership with BHF but already travel staff have helped to raised half of the funds pledged. They’ve all worked hard to achieve this.

“This result gets the campaign off to a fantastic start and to a potential record-breaking partnership. We have high hopes and would like to make a real difference to the BHF’s life-saving work.”

Peter Hollins, BHF Chief Executive, said: “We could not thank Midlands Co-op staff enough for electing us as their chosen partner for 2008 and 2009. The time and energy that they devote to fundraising for our cause is overwhelming and funds raised in the first six months alone are equivalent to the cost of purchasing 67 life-saving defibrillators. Fundraising partnerships like these also help raise a great deal of awareness of the benefits of improved heart health amongst Midlands Co-op employees, customers and members.”