Over £240,000 raised for Macmillan
Macmillan services across the region will share a £242,751 donation, thanks to Lincolnshire Co-op's colleagues, members and customers.
A £200,000 target was announced by the Co-op at the start of the campaign in March and the £242,751 raised could fund the Macmillan Support Line for 45 days. In this time the support team could help 4,519 people affected by cancer who want questions answered or who need practical or financial support.
A donation to Macmillan Cancer Support was made each time a member shopped with their dividend card, and customers dropped change into donation pots in Lincolnshire Co-op outlets.
Colleagues organised events such as bake sales, bingo nights, and Sara Barrett, Learning and Development Manager at Lincoln’s Support Centre, ran a marathon collecting over £4,000, from more than 100 sponsors.
Sara said: “I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who sponsored me. When I first started fundraising, I set a target to raise £500, which I already thought would be a challenge.
“To raise over ten times my initial target is unbelievable, and I think it goes to show how many people have been touched by this fantastic cause.”
Kate Tonge, receptionist at Tritton Road Funeral Home in Lincoln, was one of the colleagues to complete a half marathon walk in Cromer.
She said: “Fundraising has been quite emotional for me, as a close family member of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has been undergoing treatment. I know it really touched them to know that I was completing this walk for them.
“I amazed myself by completing the walk, I didn’t think I was going to make it, but when I crossed over the line, it was an incredible feeling, and it was great to have my team there supporting me.”
Ellen Lusardi, Senior Relationship Fundraising Manager at Macmillan, said: “We want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Lincolnshire Co-op who has been involved in the campaign with Macmillan Cancer Support.
“It really has been an incredible six months, and we are just blown away at what you have achieved, both in terms of the amazing £242,751 that has been raised and also the work done to spread awareness of Macmillan’s services in the area.
“With 98% of Macmillan’s income coming from fundraising and donations, we truly couldn’t support people living with cancer without campaigns just like this one, and the impact as a result of all your efforts is going to be huge. Thank you!”
Laura Worsley, Senior Community Co-ordinator, said: “It is amazing to look back on all that we’ve achieved over the last six months, and just how many people have got on board with supporting this fantastic cause.
“I want to say a heartfelt thank you to each person who has contributed to this target. Our purpose is to make life better in our communities, and that’s only possible with the support of our members, colleagues and customers.”
