# The Co-operative chooses British Red Cross in new style Charity Partnership

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/07/21/the-co-operative-chooses-british-red-cross-in-new-style-charity-partnership/
- Published: 2015-07-21T10:15:24+01:00
- Author: John Thompson

**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.

## Advertisement

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](http://www.co-operative.coop/our-ethics/charity-partnership/about-our-charity-partnership/).“
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.