NOT just a million but more than three million thanks is the message from charity RNID to generous Co-operative staff, customers and members for their record £3.5 million donation.
The Smiddyhill Street food branch in Fraserburgh was one of the biggest fundraising stores for its size, contributing an impressive £1,856 towards the multi-million pound total, raised in only 11 months.
RNID, the deafness and hearing loss charit
y, present a giant £3.5 million till receipt to the Fraserburgh store to mark the achievement.
The receipt also highlighted that 110,000 hearing checks were performed last year during The Co-operative initiative which aimed to increase awareness of the signs of hearing loss and hearing health as well as raise money.
Smashing the £2 million fundraising target, the £3.5 million total is a record amount raised for RNID from a business partner and the largest amount ever raised for one charity by The Co-operative's family of businesses, including food retail, travel, funerals, farming, banking and insurance.
It will fund the expansion of RNID's vital Hear to Help Service which trains volunteers, many of whom have a hearing loss, to provide support to hearing aid users in their local communities.
Money came flooding in from a variety of activities and activities from sponsored walks to parachute jumps to head shaves and karaoke events; an intrepid group even climbed Mont Blanc.
Staff at the Coop shop at Smiddyhill Road have joined colleagues across the country in raising money for the RNID. Pictured are Linda Bolger from the RNID, store manager Jocelyn Nicoll, Janice Lyttel, Suzanne Bond, Teresa Forbes, Elaine Strachan and Kathl
At Fraserburgh, among the fundraising activities were fun days, raffles and a Hallowe'en party.
Store manager Jocelyn Nicoll said: "We've had a great time fundraising and are proud that together, our staff, members and customers have helped raise a massive £3.5 million for RNID.
"It has been a real co-operative effort and we would like to thank all our shoppers in Fraserburgh for digging deep in their pockets and supporting our staff in raising so much for this worthwhile charity."
RNID chief executive Jackie Ballard added: "This is a fantastic achievement and I want to thank Co-operative staff from the group chief executive to the sales assistants for the enthusiasm and energy they have put into our partnership.
"It has been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated team of people who can be proud in the knowledge that this money will be used by RNID to make a significant impact on the lives of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as encouraging people to value their hearing and take action on hearing loss."
