The Heart of England Co-operative Society recognises the need to support the local communities through which it has grown and, wherever possible, set the right example for others to follow.

As an ethical retailer, the Society announced in March 2000 that all profits made from the sale of tobacco, through its 33 Co-op Foodcentres and Lateshops would be distributed back into the community.

During the first 8 years more than £486,000 has been made available to help local community projects and good causes. Ali Kurji, Chief Executive said...

"Our Tobacco profits have seriously helped the local community, with more than £486,000 pledged so far and around 2,000 local good causes benefited."

The initiative is the first of its kind in the UK and, in fact the world. If the whole of the retail food industry would follow suit, UK charities could benefit from more than £100m annually.

Operating under the award winning banner of "Helping Hearts", awards are made to local charities, schools, self help groups and other similar organisations including environmental projects or other community schemes, which must be based, or operating, in the Society's trading area. Click here to see a list of beneficiaries.

More than 2000 local good causes have benefited from donations from the Helping Heart Award scheme.

HOW TO APPLY…
To apply for a Helping Heart Award, which range from £10 to £1000, you can call into any of our 60 locations and pick up an application form to complete and return to any of our stores. For further information, please contact Joanne Dyke, Community and Membership Adviser, at

Heart of England Co-op Society
22 Abbey Street
Nuneton
CV11 5BU
Telephone 024 7638 2331
Email: jo.dyke@heartofengland-coop.co.uk