Making a Difference Locally marks a landmark achievement
CO-OP Wholesale has hit a landmark achievement for its Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity initiative after raising a massive £20million in donations across the UK.
The milestone marks 18 years of continued effort within community fundraising and highlights the lengths that local independent retailers have gone to over the years to achieve this goal and help make a meaningful difference in their communities.
Since its launch in 2008, the MADL initiative has worked with Co-op Wholesale partner stores across the whole of the UK to raise funds for retailers’ chosen charities or community initiatives, with over 25,000 donations made since it started.
Thanks to these donations, more than 11,000 community groups, projects and small charities have all benefited across a wide range of projects, including those focused on:
• Mental wellbeing
• LGBTQ+ and inclusion
• Sport and social activities
• Strengthened communities
• Food poverty
• Health and social care
Funds are raised from sales of Co-op own-brand products as well as through in-store initiatives like collection tins and clothing banks, with a percentage of this going towards a virtual fund for retailers to donate to a local charity group in their area.
This also follows on from recent donations from Greens Retail as part of the opening of its new store in the Dunfermline area. The Hospital Hill store recently donated £2,000 to two local youth organisations as part of its opening day celebrations with some of this money funded by the MADL initiative.
Kate Carroll, social value lead at Co-op Wholesale, said: “Reaching £20 million is an incredible milestone and one that reflects the commitment and community spirit of our retailers and their customers across the UK. We’re immensely proud of what has been achieved together.
“For more than 18 years, Making A Difference Locally has enabled Co-op Wholesale partner stores to support the causes that matter most to their local communities, whether that’s funding youth activities, helping improve mental wellbeing services or supporting a local food bank.
“In the current climate, the importance of supporting small charities and community causes is greater than ever. We remain committed to working with our partners to continue making a positive impact and building towards our next fundraising milestone.”
