Christmas has come early for Emmaus Preston, thanks to a donation from the Co-op Local Community Fund.
In the latest round of pay-outs raised from the Co-op Food, Ripon Street, Preston store, a £4,410 funding boost was shared between Emmaus and two other Preston organisations. On Friday 22 November, Co-op staff presented a cheque for £1,387 to members of the Emmaus Preston community.
Mandy, companion at Emmaus Preston, said: “I was delighted to meet the Co-op staff and hear about the support they have given to us. The money raised will really benefit our charity, helping people who are part of our community.”
Emmaus Preston supports formerly homeless people by providing a home, meaningful work, training, development and ongoing personal support. The charity operates three large social enterprises in the city, providing valuable work opportunities whilst generating an income to help sustain the support offered by Emmaus Preston.
Alison Scanlan, Co-op Member Pioneer in Preston, said: “The local community fund is now a well-established way of supporting local causes who help to make communities safer, happier, and healthier places to live, and we’re delighted to be able to support such a wide range of local groups as they help to improve wellbeing in Preston.
Co-op Local Community Fund raises money whenever a member buys Co-op-branded products or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare, earning a five per cent reward for themselves and a further one per cent for charity. This year the Co-op Local Community Fund will deliver £17m to over 4,000 local causes.
Stephen Buchanan, Director of Emmaus Preston, said: “This is a huge amount of money for Emmaus Preston and it go directly to support companion activities throughout 2020. I’d like to give a huge thanks to all the staff at Co-op Food Ripon Street and all the members who picked us as their nominated charity.”
To find out more and support Emmaus Preston head to www.emmaus.org.uk/preston. If you would like to get involved or donate an item, please call 01772 796622 or visit the Emmaus Preston Megastore on Brookfield Street or stores at Fishergate and Deepdale Mill Street.