Community groups in Cambridgeshire can now apply for a share of £220,000 funding from the East of England Co-op. 

It is the first time groups in the area can apply for the funding following the opening of the first East of England Co-op food stores in the county. 

The retailer’s second Cambridgeshire food store is opened its doors this week (Thursday, November 16) in the One Cambridge Square development at Cambridge North Station.  

This follows the opening of its first store at Waterbeach in August.  

Since it was established in April 2020, the Community Cares Fund has donated grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 to 163 projects, directly benefitting more than 95,000 people.  

The Community Cares Fund aims to support people in playing an active part in communities to reduce barriers and inequalities and improve social contact and experiences. 

CEO of East of England Co-op, Doug Field OBE said: “As a community retailer and a co-operative, supporting others is at the heart of what we do. 

“We’re proud to have over 150 years of history giving back to local communities through our outreach programmes, fundraising and community support initiatives.” 

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He added: “Since 2020, our Community Cares Fund has been integral to this, and has enabled us to help brilliant people who work within communities to support others.  

“What a wonderful achievement to have directly impacted more than 95,000 people as a result.” 

Projects recently supported by the East of England Co-op Community Cares Fund include a grant of £4,000 for Clacton Pride, to support the cost of rent and furnishing for an LGBTQ+ support organisation in Clacton, and a grant of £5,000 for Camp Jojo, which was used towards the core costs of an organisation offering camping weekends on Mersea Island to families with a child with disabilities.  

The East of England Co-op works with the Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire Community Foundations to distribute and deliver the Community Cares Fund. 

For more information on the scheme and how to apply for funding, visit: https://www.eastofengland.coop/community-cares-fund.