Friends of Abbey Farm PTA is in high spirits after being selected to receive a £5,000 donation from Tesco, thanks to the generosity of a shopper at the Freshbrook Express store.
This exciting news follows a unique initiative where customers were invited to participate in a lucky dip to uncover a gold version of Tesco’s iconic blue voting token.
The Friends of Abbey Farm PTA was one of three local charities nominated for the £5,000 Golden Grant as part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme, which aims to support projects benefiting children and young people.
Emma Lindsay, Headteacher at Friends of Abbey Farm PTA, expressed her gratitude, stating: “Our school is only two years old and currently lacks adequate shade in our outdoor spaces, which limits the children’s ability to play outside in all weather conditions. The school was not originally built with shading or playground equipment, making it a priority for our PTA to enhance these outdoor areas.”
She further highlighted the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all children. “We recognise that our current playground equipment does not meet the needs of all abilities. Every child deserves a space where they can flourish physically, socially, and emotionally. Our vision is to cultivate an inclusive area that encourages teamwork, friendship, and a passion for physical activity.”
Lindsay noted that the school has become a central hub for the entire estate, which lacks other community facilities. It offers holiday clubs for local children through a HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme run by the local authority. The absence of shade affects not only the school community but also others wishing to utilise the school for events, such as the local football club.
“This project is designed to have a positive impact on a wide range of stakeholders, extending beyond just the children at the school,” she added.
The Golden Grants event saw participation from over 100 Tesco stores nationwide, contributing to a total of £500,000 in donations to various good causes focused on supporting children and young people.
Golden Grants are awarded biannually as part of Tesco’s £8 million Stronger Starts grant programme, in partnership with the charity Groundwork UK. The Stronger Starts initiative helps schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that enhance the physical health and mental wellbeing of young people, including breakfast clubs and equipment for outdoor activities.
Claire De Silva, Tesco’s Head of Communities, remarked, “We understand that £5,000 can significantly impact a school or community project. We take pride in awarding Golden Grants to over a hundred schools and local projects, supporting their essential work for our children and communities. Our Stronger Starts programme remains committed to helping local communities throughout the year, and we encourage all customers to participate by using their blue tokens to vote for local initiatives.”
Since the launch of its Community Grants programme in 2016, Tesco has donated over £120 million to more than 67,000 schools and community groups across the UK.
For schools and children’s groups interested in applying for a Stronger Starts grant of £500, £1,000, or £1,500, further details can be found at www.tescoplc.com/strongerstarts.
