1 in 20 million- Story 4
1 in 20 million — Story #4
Proudfoot Supermarkets donate over £275,000 to support the Scarborough community
• Proudfoot Supermarkets have donated more than £275,000 to local causes since 2008 through the Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity.
• More than £31,000 has been raised through in-store collection tins since 2017.
• Over £100,000 has been raised and donated through carrier bag sales since 2015.
• Hundreds of charities, schools and community groups across Scarborough have benefited from funding and support.
Co-op Wholesale partner, Proudfoot Supermarkets, are celebrating a remarkable milestone after donating more than £275,000 to good causes across Scarborough through Co-op Wholesale’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity.
Since 2008, funds raised through the sale of Co-op own-brand products*, alongside in-store fundraising initiatives, have helped support hundreds of local organisations, community groups, schools and charities, creating a lasting impact across the region.
Over the years, MADL funding has supported a diverse range of community projects and organisations, from grassroots sports clubs to essential community services. Recent donations include:
• £3,000 to Sidewalk Youth Project to support vulnerable young people
• £2,000 to Wetwheels Yorkshire, helping provide accessible sea experiences for disabled people
• £2,000 to Newby & Scalby Library to improve community facilities
• £1,000 to Scarborough Swimming Club to invest in new training technology
A significant contribution has also come from customer generosity, with in-store collection tins raising an incredible £31,108 in just under 10 years.
Bolstering that further, carrier bag sales have generated more than £100,000 since 2015, supporting organisations including the RNLI, Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, as well as local charities working to address food poverty and the cost-of-living crisis. Beneficiaries include The Rainbow Centre and Westway Open Arms, which continue to receive regular support through food donations funded by the carrier bag initiative.
Valerie Aston, Group Director at Proudfoot and MADL Trustee, said[IS1.1]: "We are incredibly proud to have reached this milestone and to see the positive impact these donations continue to have across the Scarborough community. Supporting local organisations is at the heart of everything we do, and it is vital that we help our communities not just survive, but truly thrive.
"Making a Difference Locally provides a fantastic platform for us to give back in a meaningful way. It enables us to support a wide range of causes and ensures the funds raised by our customers are reinvested directly into the communities they care about most."
Kate Carroll, Social Value Lead at Co-op Wholesale, added: “Proudfoot’s commitment to giving back is outstanding, and reaching £275,000 in donations shows just how much they care about their community. We’re incredibly proud to work with a team who put Scarborough locals at the heart of everything they do.”
The Proudfoot team continues to support local communities through year-round fundraising, volunteering and community engagement activities.
Peter Richardson, Chairman of Wetwheels Yorkshire, said:"Thanks to the support of Proudfoot's Making a Difference Locally funding, Wetwheels Yorkshire was able to deliver safe, exciting and fully accessible experiences at sea for students from Springhead SEN School in Scarborough. The young people had the opportunity to steer the boat, experience local marine wildlife and build their confidence in a unique and memorable way."
Lesley Newton from Newby & Scalby Library said:
"Proudfoot's Making a Difference Locally fund has made a huge difference to the services we offer since becoming a community library in 2017. We see Proudfoot as a true community partner. Their support helped us achieve the King's Award for Voluntary Service in 2024 and they are now helping us deliver our ambitious project to become a Net Zero library. Together, we're working to reduce energy costs, provide a warm welcome to our community and play our part in tackling climate change."
In addition to MADL funding, carrier bag sales have generated more than £100,000 since 2015, supporting organisations including the RNLI, Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, and local charities working to address food poverty and the cost-of-living crisis.
Beneficiaries include The Rainbow Centre and Westway Open Arms, which continue to receive regular support through food donations funded by the carrier bag initiative.
Jo Laking, Chief Executive Officer of The Rainbow Centre, said:
"The Rainbow Centre is incredibly grateful for the ongoing support we receive through Proudfoot's Carrier Bag Fund. Their regular food donations have made a genuine difference to the people we support. There have been times when our foodbank stocks have been running dangerously low, and these deliveries have enabled us to continue providing emergency food to local families and individuals in crisis.
"At a time when demand continues to rise and food donations are becoming harder to secure, Proudfoot's commitment has been invaluable. Their generosity is helping ensure that nobody who comes to us in need is turned away hungry."
Bernie, a volunteer at Westway Open Arms, said:
"We greatly appreciate the foodbank support we receive from Proudfoot each month. As more families seek help due to the cost-of-living crisis, these donations ensure we can continue supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community."
These contributions reflect the breadth of support Proudfoot provides across Scarborough, helping to tackle social challenges, improve wellbeing and create opportunities for people of all ages.
Story 4 of 20.
