Scotmid Co-op is celebrating a landmark fundraising year after hitting a total of £474,474 for its annual national charity partnership.
The society’s highest-ever total was raised with Alzheimer Scotland as Scotmid’s lead charity partner, while Alzheimer’s Society supported activity in England and Northern Ireland.
Over 12 months, colleagues, members and customers across Scotmid, Lakes & Dales Co-op, Semichem, Scotmid Funerals and Fosters Funeral Directors got behind the campaign, raising funds across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England.
Colleague activities included abseils, pyjama days, Tough Mudders, runs and sponsored walks, while customers also supported the partnership at the till. Through Scotmid’s partnership with micro-donation charity, Pennies, shoppers in Scotmid and Semichem stores could add a 10p digital donation when paying by card.
Throughout the partnership year, the campaign helped bring Alzheimer Scotland’s brain health work into communities through Babs the Brain, the charity’s giant walk-through inflatable brain.
Named in honour of Barbara Windsor, who died of Alzheimer’s in 2020, Babs was brought to Scotmid communities as part of the Big Brain Tour, giving 20,000 visitors the chance to learn about brain health.
The partnership also reached schools, helping take brain health messages to younger audiences. Through Alzheimer Scotland’s Stars programme, 6,520 pupils received a lesson in class and 5,014 pupils received a children’s handbook on brain health.
Funds raised in England and Northern Ireland will support Alzheimer’s Society’s work with people affected by dementia in those communities.
“Alzheimer Scotland is incredibly grateful to Scotmid for choosing us to be their charity partner for the past year,” said Alzheimer Scotland CEO Henry Simmons. “We’d like to send a huge, heartfelt thank you to all the members, customers and colleagues involved in raising such an amazing amount of money to support our work.
“Together they have helped us to take our message out into communities across Scotland and the north of England, empowering people of all ages to protect their brain health, reduce their risk of dementia, and help make sure that nobody faces dementia alone.”
Scotmid CEO Karen Scott added: “This is a proud moment for the Scotmid family and a wonderful result to celebrate. Achieving our highest-ever annual charity partnership total is a powerful reflection of our co-operative spirit, and of the kindness, energy and commitment shown by colleagues, members and customers across our society.
“From fundraising challenges and community events to customers adding 10p at the till, this total has been built through thousands of individual acts of support – each one helping to make a bigger collective difference.
“What makes this partnership especially meaningful is that it has gone beyond fundraising. Together with Alzheimer Scotland, and with the support of Alzheimer’s Society in England and Northern Ireland, we have helped bring brain health messages into our communities, including to children and young people through the school’s activity.
“I want to thank everyone who got behind the partnership. This outstanding achievement shows what can be achieved when people come together behind a shared cause.”
