Accuro is delighted to have been chosen as a beneficiary of the Co-Op Local Community Fund for 2020, working with the Co-Op Food Store in Stansted Mountfitchet and Co-Op Funeralcare in Bishop’s Stortford. 

 

I look forward to every day. It is amazing that the Co-Op gives to the local community, it means a lot to me. 

 

Accuro Fundraising Manager Sue Fishpool talks to Lorraine Deith-Tringham from Co-Op Funeralcare about the local Community Fund and working with Accuro this year. 

 

Q. How long has the Co-Op Local Community Fund been operating?

A. The fund has been operating nationally since 2012 with our members helping to raise £39 million to support over 4,500 causes since the launch.

 

Q. How can people participate in the scheme?

A. People can participate by becoming a Co-Op member and then purchasing Co-Op products such as Co-Op branded products and services including funeral care plans. Each purchase earns 1% which members can choose to direct to support the local causes chosen in the local community. Accuro is one of 3 local charities chosen for 2020.

Q. How has working with Accuro informed you about the work of the charity?

A. At the beginning of the year I had not really heard of Accuro but having met some of the team I now understand how the charity supports people with a disability in West Essex. I have been particularly impressed to learn how Accuro works with adults with a disability, reducing isolation and supporting this age group. I think new challenges and opportunities to learn new things are so important for everyone.

 

 Q. How has lockdown affected your support for Accuro?

A. I have been supporting Accuro with items for their events this Summer but unfortunately these have had to be postponed or cancelled. We have been able to offer prizes for some virtual events such as the Accuro Quiz and Bingo on facebook and hope to be able to help if events are able to go ahead before the end of the charity year in October. We will have to wait and see how the guidance goes.

 

Q. What does it mean to you to work for an organisation who have a local community fund?

A. I look forward to every day. It is amazing that the Co-Op gives to the local community, it means a lot to me. I want to do our very best for the people who come to us and it is so rewarding to help people both through Funeralcare services and the Local Community Fund.