Support is being drummed up for two armed forces charities in a fundraising campaign by Lincolnshire Co-op.
The society will raise funds for the Royal British Legion and RAF Benevolent Fund through its Community Champions scheme throughout summer, in the RAF’s centenary year.
Money raised will help forces families, serving personnel and veterans with a range of issues including funeral costs, debt, housing, mobility problems and medical care.
Lincolnshire’s community co-ordinator Ryan Hodson said: “In Lincolnshire, the community around us is closely linked with the armed forces, and the charities we’re supporting do an important job caring for the health and wellbeing of service people past and present.”
A donation will be made every time members shop in Lincolnshire Co-op stores using their dividend card. Colleague fundraising and proceeds from the carrier bag levy will also go into the pot, and there will be cash donation boxes.
Some of the local producers for the society’s Love Local range are also celebrating with specially created forces-themed goods. For each sale of these products 10p will also be donated through the scheme.
They are:
- Red Leicester Bastion in the Air cheese, made by the Grinstead family at Lymn Bank Farm near Skegness.
- Bastion Pale Ale, brewed by Ferry Ales Brewery in Fiskerton.
- Dambusters Beer Chutney, made by Jenny’s Jams of Lincoln.
- Cupcakes produced by Lincolnshire Co-op’s bakery Gadsby’s during the summer.
Ferry Ales Brewery’s Bastion Pale Ale has been brewed to promote the Bastion in the Air project which is raising awareness of Lincolnshire’s First World War aviation heritage.
Lincolnshire is also offering the prize of a trip from London to Lincoln on the Tornado, through an anagram competition at selected stores, and games including a paper airplane competition at stores during Armed Forces Day on 30 June, in return for a small donation.
Money will also be raised through a ‘guess where the teddy is’ game at Lincolnshire Co-op travel branches and ‘guess the teddy’s name’ at its funeral homes.
And the society hosts three free summer food events next month in Chapel St Leonards, Scunthorpe and Washingborough where members can take part in games, have the chance to win a food hamper, sample tasty food and listen to live music from the 1940s. Just bring your dividend card to sign in.
Mark Quinn, regional director for the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “We are delighted that in this seminal year Lincolnshire Co-op have chosen to raise funds for the RAF family. We are extremely grateful to all involved for choosing to support the charity.”
Jo Ticehurst, regional fundraising manager for the East Royal British Legion, said: “We are very excited and feel privileged to be chosen as a Community Champion until September.
“It’s set to be a special year in Lincolnshire as combined with RAF 100, there’s lots to celebrate in the county this summer.”
