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A Cooperative approach to conservation and community.

A huge thank you to the Coop for supporting MWT this year!
Coop raffle

Saturday 12th December, saw Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) volunteers selling raffle tickets in the Coop’s Ramsey Christian Street Superstore which was followed by a cheque signing to mark the ending to MWT being a beneficiary of the Coop community fund.

MWT was one of 3 charities in the North (Laxey, Peel and Ramsey stores), that were beneficiaries in 2019-2020 of the Coop 1% for local causes generated by Coop members buying Coop branded products.  MWT is the very first environmental charity ever to be chosen.  Ian Davies says: ‘This was always going to be a big part of our fund-raising this year, but none of us knew just how big given the effects of Covid-19. This is supporting the Ramsey Forest project which will have Island-wide ramifications, a national forest project of mixed woodland; a continuous corridor for wildlife; a place for rare Manx plants to flourish; a unique place of natural beauty for people of all ages from all parts of the IOM to relax, play, exercise; providing stimulation by nature all around and through the playground infrastructure we have already constructed and will extend.’

This raffle was the second that the Coop have hosted for MWT and an amazing £888.95 was raised on the day.

Coop cheque signing

John Slevin, Manager of the Coop Christian Street Superstore in Ramsey, responded: ‘We are delighted with our customers’ response to the Raffle. Their generosity never fails to astound us. MWT had a very successful bag pack in our store last year, and this more than makes up for the cancelled bag pack in May this year.’

Sue Iceley is both Manager of the Parliament St store in Ramsey and the Coop’s Area Community Champion for the whole Isle of Man. She adds to John’s comments: ‘We are very pleased we chose MWT as one of our 3 Northern charities for 2019-2020.  As we have become better informed on the long-term Ramsey Forest project, we can appreciate It is already producing results people can see, feel and enjoy.  That is what it is all about.  Good for nature, good for people and we in Manx Coop feel extremely comfortable with that.  We are also very satisfied with the way MWT deal with our colleagues.  They make sure we know what is going on, they have involved us in their developing plans and how the money is being or will be spent.  In short, they are good people to deal with.  We can’t ask for more than that.’

In total through the Coop community fund a staggering £17,847.80 has been raised for MWT, for which we are truly grateful, to the staff of the Coop and also to the shoppers who chose MWT as their chosen charity. The cheque was handed over after the raffle by coop staff with MWT Chair, Viv Davis in attendance to receive it.