Central Co-op joins humanitarian appeal for the Middle East
Posted by lauryn mellor | Published: 28/10/2024
United with the wider co-operative movement, Central Co-op is supporting an urgent Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to support conflict-affected communities in Gaza, Lebanon, and the surrounding region where families have been displaced.
For a selected period, Central Co-op will contribute a percentage of donations received through micro-donations charity, Pennies, where customers are encouraged to donate when paying for their shopping or fuel by card if spending over £5. During this time, Pennies donations will be shared as follows: 60% to Samaritans, 30% to the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal, and 10% to Pennies.
The community-focused retailer is also asking its Members, colleagues and customers to donate to the appeal by texting COOP to 70676 to donate £10*, via the DEC JustGiving page: justgiving.com/campaign/decmiddleeasthumanitarianappeal or accepting the Pennies microdonation when paying by card at any Central Co-op shop.
Donations will help provide food, water, shelter and healthcare - £10 could provide blankets for two people, £50 could provide emergency food for five families for one whole week and £100 could provide emergency shelter for 5 families. Every pound donated up to the value of £10 million will be matched by the UK government through its Aid Match scheme.
Andy Seddon, Society Secretary at Central Co-op, commented: “The horrific impact of increasing conflict in the Middle East warrants an urgent national appeal. Central Co-op has come together with other co-ops to secure the necessary funds to support conflict-affected communities in Gaza, Lebanon, and the surrounding region.
“Conflict across the Middle East is devastating lives, and millions have fled their homes in search of safety. Communities are, right now, in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care. In Gaza, the scale of humanitarian need is overwhelming. People are dying of hunger and disease, as well as injuries caused by the conflict. In Lebanon, more than a million people have fled their homes since mid-September, and emergency shelters are struggling to support all those in need.”
Please add ‘Co-op’ to your message if you are supporting as a Co-op Member, customer or colleague. To find your nearest Central Co-op shop, head to the https://stores.centralengland.coop/search. Details on becoming a Member can be found at Members.coop.
* All text donations are to the value of £10 plus standard network charge.
The DEC registered charity no. 1062638.
ENDS
For press information
Press Office
pressoffice@centralcoop.co.uk
Lauryn Mellor, PR and Media Specialist at Central Co-op
lauryn.mellor@centralcoop.co.uk
07385 048004