Co-op staff ‘take over’ Chorlton shop to raise £8,000 for the British Red Cross

Co-op staff took over a British Red Cross store in south Manchester in an Apprentice-style task and raised over £8,000 for the British Red Cross.

The Co-op team ran a host of activities from the Chorlton British Red Cross store with the aim of raising as much money and awareness of the cause as possible of loneliness and isolation across the UK.

The theme for the day was ‘Get the Look for Less’ and included handbag design, up-cycling and flower arranging. 

There was also a tombola on the day, as well as a range of refreshments including tea, coffee and cakes for all. 

Team Chorlton, who are based in the Support Centre at Angel Square, Manchester, engaged with several local businesses on the run-up to the event, spreading the word about loneliness and social isolation.

Caoilionn Hurley, Finance Director for Co-op Legal Services and Team Chorlton leader, said: “It was an incredible day and all our activities when down a storm with the local community. 

“The Co-op is very passionate about working with the community, and we wanted to do something that would leave a lasting legacy for local people.

“We are so pleased to have raised so much for this vital cause, and we’d like to thank everyone who came down and supported us.”

Loneliness affects millions of people across the UK, and according to research conducted by the Co-op last year, three in 10 people say they know someone in their community who appears lonely, and just one in 10 people felt that it is something which affects them regularly.

• Former Coronation Street stars Lee Boardman and Jennifer James launch Actor Tribe in Stockport
• Manchester Storm causes chaos – but Macclesfield Town show they have a sense of humour

Since the Co-op partnered with the British Red Cross last year, they have raised over £2m to help provide them with much-needed support.

Colin Brown, British Red Cross UK Director for Independent Living & Crisis Response, said: “We’d like to thank all of the ‘Apprentice candidates’ for raising such a terrific total. The people of Chorlton really welcomed this fundraising task and added a valued contribution to help us tackle loneliness and social isolation.

“These funds will mean we can support lonely people within Chorlton and Greater Manchester, as well as across the rest of the UK, helping them reconnect with their communities.”