Previous champions

In an increasingly hectic world, our green spaces are important pockets of calm. 

They’re a place to pause and enjoy sunshine and fresh air, or the scent of flowers.  

However they’re also vital for Lincolnshire’s wildlife and are teaching kids lots of life lessons about nature – including how food is grown.  

That’s why we supported more than 20 green space projects through our Community Champions scheme in June, July and August.  

Each time a member shopped in a Lincolnshire Co-op outlet, a donation was made through the scheme. Staff fundraising and the carrier bag levy also went into the pot, along with sales of special seed packets and more than £17,000 which was raised via Salvation Army clothing banks at some of our outlets. 

Volunteers even mucked in at some of the green space projects by grabbing trowels and gardening gloves and helping out.

It all meant that, together, our members and colleagues raised £126,626 which has been shared out among the green space projects.

Here’s more about the fundraising and support that took place... 

Mucking in at green spaces

Our support for green spaces kicked off with some special volunteering events during our Big Co-op Clean. 

Together, colleagues and members helped at some of the Community Champions projects, from school wildlife areas and community gardens to nature reserves, public parks and one of Lincolnshire’s beautiful beaches.

Tasks included trimming hedges, creating paths, gardening and litter picking.

Selling seed packets

Even a small green space - such as a patch of flowers – can boost your mood and help birds, bees and insects. 

That’s why we sold seed packets in our food stores in July and August to raise further funds for green space Community Champions. 

Giving unwanted clothes

Help also came from donations of unneeded clothing.  

The Salvation Army has clothing banks at many of our outlets and the charity splits money raised from these banks with us. 

We donated our share to the green space Community Champions fundraising, adding £17,000 to the total.

Community Champion donations

We made a donation to the green space projects and groups every time you shopped with us using your dividend card. 

We also ran staff fundraising events and gave the proceeds from the carrier bag levy to these groups during June, July and August. 

The green spaces we supported during our environment quarter, from Sunday June 4th until Saturday 2nd September, were:

Castle Wood Academy, Gainsborough – developing an environmental space for children and people in the community. 

Healey Road Wildlife and Education Centre, Scunthorpe – turning unused land into a pond-dipping area and sensory path with disabled access.

Centre4, Grimsby – a community hub with plans to create a horticultural area.

Woodland Workout team, Market Rasen – renewing picnic benches and maintenance.

Saxilby with Ingleby Parish Council – creating a new play park for the community.

Green Synergy, Lincoln – developing a community garden.

Fosse Way School friends, Lincoln – an outside reading area and classroom.

Hartsholme Country Park, Lincoln– adding more musical instruments, footpaths, wildflower planting and woodland maintenance.

Wellingore Parish Council – memorial park to commemorate John Gillespie Magee Jr.

Burgh Angling Society and Community Nature Reserve – creating a water bore hole, a reception and classroom space, net dipping area and disabled facilities.

Hubbard’s Hill Trust, Louth – repairs after an increase in visitors and other work.

Billinghay Community Group – creating a community garden with seating.

Swaton Parish Council – developing a new play park. 

Boston Woods Trust – adding a wooden trim trail in Grange Woods.

Long Sutton Primary School – creating a wild learning zone and pathway for walks.

Gosberton Community Action team – upgrading and refurbishing the playing field and reinstate the summer fayre.

1st Foston Scouts and Conservation Group – installing a water butt and guttering to support plant growing.

Friends of Sconce and Devon Park, Newark – adding a sensory garden and play trail.

Noddle Hill Nature Reserve, Hull – development and ongoing maintenance.

Raincliffe Wood, Scarborough – continuing work to make the woods, events and benefits sustainable.

The Community Orchard, Hunstanton – new tools and a natural play area for young children.