Lakes & Dales Co-operative has already helped Scotmid to raise £121,000 for Samaritans, funding 24,200 calls from people, who may be struggling to cope, during the opening half of the year-long charity partnership.
Now the plan is to raise a further £180,000 over the next six months to ensure the charity’s 19 branches across Scotland can keep their doors open and are able to respond to a total of 60,000 appeals for help.
Since the partnership was launched Lakes & Dales Co-operative staff have participated in a wide range of in-store fundraising activities. Proceeds from sales of limited edition Samaritans bags for life, ‘Brew Monday’ cupcakes and ‘Kid in the Kitchen’ joke books, sold exclusively in Scotmid stores, have all contributed to the total amount raised so far, with an exciting schedule of fundraising events planned for coming months including a Cycleathon and a Big Quiz.
Photo caption for above image: left to right: Lynne Graham (Samaritans volunteer), Samantha Robertson (Samaritans volunteer) , Frank McDonald (Scotmid store staff member), Natasha MacKinnon (Samaritans Corporate Account Manager), Elaine Coubrough (Scotmid store staff member), Lorraine Edmiston (Semichem store staff member), Steve Bailey (Samaritans volunteer), Fudge (Samaritans Kilmarnock mascot)
Scotmid Chief Executive, John Brodie said: “To have reached such an impressive amount at the half-way stage in our year-long charity partnership with Samaritans is an achievement everybody can be proud of.
“Our staff deserve enormous credit for the fundraising activities that have already happened and there are plenty more scheduled to take place over the next six months.
“Samaritans provides an incredibly valuable service to local communities and by helping to fund an additional 60,000 appeals for help, every donation large or small has the potential to make a big difference in ensuring Samaritans can be there when it matters.”
James Jopling, Samaritans’ Executive Director in Scotland said: “Samaritans is there for anyone struggling to cope, no matter the day or time. This partnership is so important as raises much needed funds to ensure that we can continue to be there when it matters. We are truly grateful to have had the support of Scotmid over the past six months and look forward to seeing their fundraising activities over the next six.”