Good causes benefit from extra funds

Local causes have shared more than £1,000 after receiving donations at the official opening of a new food store and pharmacy.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Newark Road Food Store and Pharmacy has created 15 new jobs and offers a range of services including an instore bakery, takeaway Costa Coffee and hot food-to-go, meal options, goods from the Society’s Love Local range and chilled beers and wines.

Colleagues from the Society including President Steve Hughes, Chief Executive Ursula Lidbetter and the store team were joined by local councillors and representatives to unveil the outlet on Monday 25th March.

As part of the celebrations, £500 was presented to North Hykeham War Memorial Hall and Playing Field Trust, which will put the cash towards internal improvements at the community facility.

And another £500 was given to the Dementia Hub at One NK sports centre on Moor Lane.

The Dementia Hub is a drop-in session at One NK which takes place between 10am and 12noon on the first Tuesday of each month. It's for people living with dementia and their carers and is designed to bring people together to take part fun activities, such as New Age Kurling or planting seeds.

Bev Dawson from the Hub said the donation would sustain the group for around six months or more.

"It's wonderful as it means we will be able to buy new games, like Giant Jenga, and more arts and crafts materials," she said. "It really will make a difference."

One of the Society's current Community Champions is the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance and to mark the occasion, £100 was added to the store's fundraising for the charity.