Marking the midway milestone 08 April 2020 Scotmid Co-operative, the country’s largest independent co-operative, have been busy fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland as part of a year-long charity partnership. On Friday 21 February, we were joined by Scotmid staff and three stroke survivors at our head office. Together, we celebrated the halfway point of the partnership and announced the fantastic fundraising total so far. Kind-hearted Scotmid customers, employees and members have raised over £130,000. This will help those who have suffered a stroke to ‘survive and thrive’ in their local communities. Staff across Scotmid’s 179 food stores, 87 Semichem stores, 17 Scotmid Funeral branches and 9 Lakes & Dales stores in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England have been getting involved with various fundraising activities including a Forth Road Bridge abseil, a special fundraising week in store to help celebrate the Society’s 160th birthday along with a number of sponsored events and raffles. Scotmid’s charity of the year As Scotmid’s charity of the year, funds raised will go towards the provision of our services. The charity partnership will help to fund our rehabilitation services and purchase of new equipment. It will also help to increase awareness of the support available to those who are struggling after a stroke. Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “It is amazing that we’re only halfway through our partnership and Scotmid has already raised an incredible £130,000 to help stroke survivors across Scotland survive and thrive! “Thanks to their fundraising efforts we’ll be able to help support more than a thousand stroke survivors and their families through our rehabilitation support services. Our services support people after a stroke to regain their confidence. We help them achieve their personal goals and get back to doing the things they love. Thanks to their fundraising efforts we’ll be able to help support more than a thousand stroke survivors and their families through our rehabilitation support services. “Everyone at Scotmid has been so engaged with our cause. They have put so much effort in to getting behind stroke survivors in our communities. It has been inspiring to see everyone’s hard work. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve together this year!” Challenging times Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus outbreak, some of Scotmid’s fundraising events and activities have been put on hold. However, we are still working with Scotmid throughout the lockdown. Scotmid have been working hard to ensure both staff and customers stay safe whilst supplying the community with essential items. We’re very proud to be partnered with a fantastic organisation at the heart of so many communities across Scotland. To find out more about corporate partnerships and how businesses can help us ensure there’s no life half lived in Scotland, please visit www.chss.org.uk/corporate