Charities and community groups across Cumbria have been awarded grants totalling £665,889 thanks to Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative, since its launch in 2015.
The scheme run in conjunction with the charity Groundwork, has seen £75 million from the sale of carrier bags fund more than 25,000 local projects across the UK.
This week the total number of projects that have been awarded grants reached the 200 mark, with £665,889 awarded across Cumbria to date.
The projects supported have been diverse and have all been voted for by Tesco customers because of the difference they make in their local community.
One recent recipient of a Bags of Help grant is Dunnerholme Golf Club in Askam-in-Furness, which received £2,000 in funding to refurbish the club house and set up children’s sessions.
Irene Brough, Club Administrator at Dunnerholme Golf Club, said: “As a non-profit golf club the funding through Tesco Bags of Help will go a long way to improving our facilities and help us engage with more people from the local community.
“We are planning to hold multiple open days over the coming months for juniors to come and give golf a go with an experienced coach. Through the funding we are going to purchase junior golf club sets to use during the sessions, as we know funding can be a barrier to participation.”
She said: “We’re excited to give children the opportunity to get outside in the fresh air, meet new people and try a new activity, with the aim of easing obesity and mental health issues in children.”
Keith Jackson, Tesco’s Bags of Help Manager said: “It’s really important to us at Tesco that we play an active role in the communities we serve. One way we can do that is through our Bags of Help scheme, and we are really proud to have now awarded funding to 211 groups across Cumbria.
“Each of the projects we have supported in Cumbria have been voted for by our customers in their local Tesco stores, so we know that the funding is going to groups that are really valued in their local communities.
“We award grants of up to £4,000 every two months and we encourage any community groups that could benefit from the funding to put themselves forward.”
Graham Duxbury the National Chief Executive of Groundwork, which administers the scheme, said: “Bags of Help continues to enable local communities up and down the UK to improve the local spaces and places that matter to them. The diversity of projects that are being funded shows that local communities have a passion to create something great in their area. We are pleased to be able to be a part of the journey and provide support and encouragement to help local communities thrive.”
Customers are able to vote for a Bags of Help project in Tesco stores using a blue token given to them at the check-out. At the end of voting period, votes are collected and three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.
