Shoppers check out cash for elderly

Wetherby shoppers have bagged more than £225 for a local charity at the heart of helping isolated, older people through the pandemic.

Thanks to Co-operative members, Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) will benefit from the cash windfall to support its cafe and services for the elderly.

The café, currently suspended due to Covid-19, normally offers wellbeing support to up to 20 service users in Wetherby and nearby villages.

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Mark Dobson, Chief Operations Officer at WiSE, said: “They say every penny counts and this fantastic amount raised is the perfect illustration of that fact.

“All the money raised will be spent right here in Wetherby, enabling us to do even more for dozens of isolated, older people - many of whom have no family or friends to support them during what remains an incredibly difficult period.

“The Monday memory café at Wetherby Methodist Church is one of our flagship initiatives, represents a lifeline to so many people living with dementia and is something we desperately hope to be able to get back up and running later this year.”

Wetherby Co-op members chose WiSE to receive support through the Co-op Local Community Fund.

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The fund supports projects across the UK which members care about. Every time members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, two pence from every pound spent goes to support community organisations and local causes.

Tracy Sperke, Member Pioneer at Co-op, said: “We are delighted that WiSE is one of our Local Community Fund causes this year.

“It is fantastic that our members are supporting the charity and their project and their great work.”

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) is a registered charity organisation part funded by Leeds City Council.

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Its aim is to improve quality of life for the over 60s by providing community based activities, information, help and support.

It was recently presented with an award by the Lord Mayor of Leeds Coun Eileen Taylor in recognition of its efforts during the pandemic.

Donate at https://bit.ly/3ayGIgD