Co-operative fundraisers in north of England collect £30,000 for the RNLI

The following text is replicated courtesy of the RNLI.

Date: 23/03/2011

Author: Alison Levett, Divisional Media Relations Manager

Kind-hearted staff at The Co-operative Group’s food stores have donated £30,000 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) after staging several fundraising events last year.

Workers at 67 stores across the North region raised the money, which was presented to crew at the RNLI’s lifeboat station in Whitby, by holding charity car washes, fancy dress fundraisers and raffles, as well as fun days and party nights.

Other events included a football match between Co-operative management and staff at Whitby Town FC’s Turnbull Ground before a crowd of more than 200 people who helped raise £2,500. Super-fit fundraisers also competed in the Great North Run and the Amsterdam Marathon.

Iain Hume, The Co-operative Group’s Regional Operations Manager, said: 'It is fantastic that our staff, members and customers really got behind our fundraising efforts and helped collect £30,000 for the RNLI.

'The RNLI provides a vital service and is a charity that is close to the hearts of many of the communities The Co-operative serves, not only in North Yorkshire but right around the country. A big thank you goes to everyone who helped raise such a super amount of money for this worthy cause.'

The RNLI, founded in 1824, is a registered charity that saves lives at sea and provides a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service around the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Catherine Kaye, RNLI Regional Corporate Partnerships Manager, added: 'Commercial partnerships are very important to the RNLI as we rely on voluntary contributions to continue our lifesaving work. This generous donation will help provide vital funds towards the work of our volunteer lifeboat crews in the RNLI’s north division. We are extremely grateful to The Co-operative and all the staff involved for this tremendous level of support.'

The photograph at the top of the page features the following people

The Co-operative Group’s Operations Manager, Andrew Thompson (front right), presenting a cheque to Glenn Goodberry, mechanic at the RNLI’s Whitby Lifeboat Station. Also pictured, back row from left, are: The Co-operative’s Dave Blackburn, Operations Manager; Dave McQueen, Operations Manager; Joanne Armstrong, Regional HR; Iain Hume, Regional Operations Manager; Chris Evans, Operations Manager; Mike Frankland, Operations Manager; and Catherine Kaye, the RNLI’s Regional Corporate Partnerships Manager.

Credit Simon Kench.

RNLI media contacts

For more help, contact Alison Levett, RNLI Media Relations Manager, North, on 01642 750585 / 07786 668912 or e-mail Alison Levett

Co-operative media contacts

Kieran Howlett, Senior Public Relations Officer, The Co-operative Group 0161 266 3592 / 07739 657 585 or e-mail Kieran Howlett