Shrewsbury store helps in £500,000 donation to cancer charity

The money will be used to help fund more than 20,000 hours of care for young people, and celebrated the end of the organisation's two-year partnership with the charity.

As part of the presentation a special event was held to honour the work of the charity and the fundraising support provided by the society's colleagues and customers since 2013.

In Shropshire this included nearly £6,000 raised by The Midcounties Co-operative's Bicton Heath food store through activities such as bag packs, tombolas and cake sales.

Ben Reid, chief executive at The Midcounties Co-operative, said: "It's thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of our colleagues and customers in Shropshire that we are able to present Teenage Cancer Trust with a cheque for £550,000 to support the tremendous work that they do for young people.

"Our commitment to the charity doesn't end now that our partnership has concluded. We will work tirelessly to educate our local communities on the common signs of cancer amongst those aged 13-24 and play our part to help enhance the chances of survival amongst young people."

Annmarie Carey, corporate account manager at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "It was great to hear about all the fantastic activities and events that colleagues in Shropshire took part in to help raise £550,000 for the charity. This will provide a significant boost to the care and support we can provide to young people living with cancer, and we thank The Midcounties Co-operative for its on-going commitment to support us."

The Midcounties Co-operative also unveiled a legacy project to help identify the signs of cancer in young people, as part of its on-going commitment to be "the best provider of healthcare services for its local communities".

Posters will be displayed in all of its Co-operative pharmacy branches, and staff will be trained to help educate people on the most common signs of cancer found in those aged 13-24, and to encourage them to talk to a healthcare professional if they have any concerns.

The society smashed its half a million pounds fundraising target with a combination of activity including long distance bike rides and walks, till donations and fancy dress competitions.

The Teenage Cancer Trust is now using the money to provide 20,000 hours of specialist care from lead nurses who are experts in teenage and young adult cancer.

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