Joe O’Sullivan, Dimitris Zogiopoulos, Dan O’Sullivan, Pat O’Sullivan, Mike O’Keeffe, bus driver, Liz Keane, and Breda Dyland, Service manager at Kerry Cancer Support Group who welcomed Tesco’s Community Fund Initiative contribution. Photo Diane Cusack
OVER 96 local causes across Kerry have shared a donation of €24,000 thanks to customer votes in the Tesco Community Fund.
And Tesco customers across Kerry have been quick to show their support for the wellbeing of their community, voting (with their blue tokens) for more Cancer Support Services than any other county.
One such cause that was nominated for the Tesco Community Fund was the Kerry – Cork Cancer Support Group which offers a Help Bus Link for patients travelling to and from their appointments each week.
The group offer this free community service to all who need it, without referral, aiming to provide social support to individuals and take the pressure off family members driving to appointments each week.
Breda Dyland, Manager of the organisation said; “We were thrilled to have been involved with the Tesco Community Fund. The initiative helped keep these services running for a week covering petrol costs. In voting for us with their blue tokens, Tesco customers were helping financially but also crucially raising awareness of our essential services. We would like to say a big thank you to the local community and to our local store.”
Henry Dummer, Marketing Director Tesco Ireland said: “As one of Ireland’s biggest retailers, some people might feel we’re too big to care, but we’re big on the things that matter to our customers, community being one of them. And with 149 stores we have a unique opportunity to help thousands of community causes across Ireland through our Community Fund.”
Tesco customers or colleagues can still support a cause that means something to them or to their local community, be it fixing a leaky roof in the community centre or supporting running costs of a local hospice. Simply fill out a form, nominate them in-store and every eight weeks, three local causes will be selected for the Tesco Community Fund.
Using the little blue tokens, customers can also decide which cause they would like to support by voting each time they shop. And at the end of each phase, up to €1,000 is shared proportionally between the three local causes.
