East Kent Mencap is bidding to bag a cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.
Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £4,000, up to £2,000 and £1,000 raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores, awarded to local community projects.
Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.
East Kent Mencap is one of the groups on the shortlist for the Metro store in Cliftonville and the Express store in Westbrook. With its grant, the charity plans to buy specialist equipment for a sensory room for young people with a learning disability. It will be a place for them to relax with music, lights and soft furnishings.
Children and Youth Manager, Angela Brown, said: “The new sensory room will give hours of enjoyment to the many young people we support, particularly those with physical disabilities.”
Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout January and February. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.
Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered over £40 million to 9,700 projects up and down the UK. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.
Funding is available to community groups and charities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.