The East of England Co-operative Society has made a donation of £1,000 to the Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue Service to enable it to keep its rescue boat “The Volunteer” afloat until the end of the season.

The Society will shortly launch a major fundraising initiative in its Felixstowe town centre branches that will see the charity benefit to the tune of thousands of pounds.    Starting week commencing 6th October the Felixstowe Coast Patrol Rescue Voucher Scheme will enable customers to receive a 5p voucher for each £10 spent in the Co-op Supermarket, Home Store, Pharmacy and Opticians in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe and the Petrol Station on High Road West.   

Commenting on this major new initiative Richard Samson, Chief Executive of the East of England Co-op said:  “The Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue Service has helped to save many lives and plays a vital part in our community. 

“We are delighted to be able to play our part in helping to keep The Volunteer afloat until the end of the season.  Over the coming months we will give local people the opportunity to collect vouchers from our Felixstowe town centre branches and we will turn them into real cash that will provide the Coast Patrol with funding to ensure it can keep going for the foreseeable future.”

The East of England Co-operative Society recently relaunched its Felixstowe Town Centre branches following a refurbishment costing more than £1.2 million.

Note to Editors:
The East of England Co-operative Society is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia and has over 200 trading outlets which are located in 73 towns and villages, plus the three regional centres of Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester.

The Society’s diverse business activities include: food stores and supermarkets, department and home stores, jewellery, travel, pharmacy, optical and funeral branches, petrol forecourts and motor dealerships.

For further information:
Miriam Harrup, Communications and Community Manager,
East of England Co-operative Society, 38 Carr Street, Ipswich, IP4 1EW   
E-mail: m.harrup@eastofengland.coopcoop