Just in time for Christmas, Geoff Lindley, Chair of Lions’ Community Services, and other Lions members visited  the Canterbury Early Years Project to donate a cheque for £1,500 to Jennie Thompson, the Chief Executive, and Heidi Baker, Operations Manager.  The money was raised through the Co-Op Local Community Fund to support the wonderful work of the Canterbury & District Early Years Project, a ‘Stand Alone Children and Families ‘ Charity. Its primary focus is on prevention and early intervention so that problems within families are less likely to arise, and, if they do, they can be addressed positively. The charity offers parenting support programmes, play sessions, short courses, family events, support groups , a Health Visitor and Clinic and much more, to promote strong family relationships and positive outcomes for children. The Canterbury & District Early Years project operates over several sites and activities vary from week to week. See https://poets-corner.org.uk/wpress/  or call 01227 786420. 

When WHBC Lions applied to the Co-op Local Community Fund for funding to support the Project, they had no idea how fantastic the support from the local community would be. Details of the project were displayed in store, online and on the Co-op app, so Co-op members could choose which project they wanted to support in the community over the twelve -month Funding Period. The Lions were amazed and delighted to learn that the total raised in the first six months was £1,000, which was presented at their AGM. This was followed by a £1,500 final payment, raising the total to £2,500. Many thanks are due to Sue Lloyd, the Co-op Retail Group Manager and her team at Kent University, Park Wood. 

WHBC Lions have applied to the Co-op Local Community Fund in the past. The Fund supports projects its members care about, across the UK that. Since 2016, Co-op has shared more than £100m with over 36,000 unique community projects across the UK. Two Projects are chosen for support in each community over the  Funding Period .