Little Ella Young, aged two, seen with mum Gemma, gets ready to ‘post’ her token
The people of Whaley Bridge are being offered the chance to help one of two local charities between now and 7 April. A bright yellow ‘postbox’ Inside the Co-op pharmacy will allow customers to help decide which charity receives £250 from the Co-op Community Fund.
Customers will receive a token for each purchase (excepting prescriptions) which they can deposit in the postbox -one slot for the Whaley youth club, the other for Whaley Water Weekend. The charity receiving most tokens by 7 April picks up the cash.
The two charities were shortlisted by staff at the pharmacy. A Co-op statement said: “In-store voting is a great way for people to support a local group, to benefit the Whaley Bridge community”.
The Whaley youth club meets in the basement of Footsteps. On Friday evenings, the centre opens as a drop in for youngsters, ‘where they can feel safe and warm’. Over the years, young people have been volunteers at Footsteps as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The Water Weekend, now in its 14th year, has developed with music events added to the traditional attractions such as Punch and Judy and the now famous free boat trips, and is one of Whaley Bridge’s major summer events.
Thumbs up from the two charities
Members of the Whaley Bridge youth club at their meeting place, Footsteps
Members of Whaley Bridge youth club and the committee of Whaley Water Weekend were delighted to hear of the Co-op pharmacy’s charity initiative and looking forward to receiving support from the public.
The Water Weekend committee, photographed after hearing of the post-box initiative