The Co-operative chooses British Red Cross in new style Charity Partnership
John Thompson | 21 July 2015 | News
The Co-operative has chosen the British Red Cross as its new charity partner, following a staff and member vote.
This year’s Charity Partnership vote was the largest to date, with around 78,000 people voting over a three week period. The charity that received the most votes would become the new Partner. Almost half of the votes cast were in favour of tackling loneliness and social isolation with the British Red Cross.
The other two shortlisted charities were Groundwork and The Prince’s Trust.
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The organisations have a history of partnership. The Co-operative raised funds for the British Red Cross in 1945 from sales of its own brand Co-operative tea. The funds that were raised were used to help vulnerable people both at home and overseas in the wake of the Second World War.
Not just fundraising
The partnership will see a wide range of involvement from The Co-operative. “Rather than just handing over a cheque, we’ll be fundraising and then campaigning with the British Red Cross to bring the issue of loneliness to the fore, and connect people in our communities”.
As a nationwide retailer it will be using its contacts with customers in a number of ways – as a food business, as a funeral business, as an insurer, and as a legal services provider.
The fundraising plans and target will be announced in September.
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About John Thompson
John Thompson is a fundraising consultant with particular expertise in cause-marketing, sponsorship, strategy development, partnership marketing and executive recruitment. A blogger on UK Fundraising since 2006 with a background in corporate fundraising and public relations.