Battle projects couldbenefit from bags

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

Netherfield C of E Primary School PTFA will use the money raised to install a running track so the children can run, walk and smile doing a Daily Mile, while Burghwood Residents Association, a rural Sheltered Scheme in Hurst Green, will use the grant to remove very steep garden steps and replace them with a winding path which would allow access for all residents, whatever their mobility.

They area competing against Sandhurst Primary School, who would like a year-round quiet sensory garden and wildlife haven to promote health and well-being for their children.

Voting is open in stores throughout March and April. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

All Tesco stores, including Tesco Express, in Hastings, Bexhill and Battle are participating.

Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered over £27 million to more than 3,500 projects up and down the UK.

Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “We are absolutely delighted to open the voting for March and April.

“There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t wait to see them come to life in hundreds of communities.”

Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.

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