Friends of Margam Park call out for votes to bag a share of carrier bag charge fund

Friends of Margam Park call out for votes to bag a share of carrier bag charge fund

The friends of Margam Park are bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch the monthly funding scheme, which sees grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local outdoor community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and this month shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

The Friends Of Margam Park are one of the groups on the shortlist.

The group has applied for funds for 4 unique mindfulness inspired wooden hand carved benches placed in quiet peaceful places in Margam Country Park. To help you to relax, think and wonder at nature.

‘It’s great that we have been shortlisted and are encouraging everyone to vote for these brilliant inspiring benches – we look forward to sitting on them with you!’ says Jeff Lewis–Jones the Groups Chairperson.

‘Evidence points to improved personal wellbeing and mental health by spending quality time in green spaces. We want to encourage visitors to the wonderful green space provided by Margam Park and while here to take time to relax, unwind and wonder at nature. How better to do this than sitting on an inviting bench positioned in a quiet peaceful part of the Park.’

Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council Cllr Ali Thomas, OBE said: “I have always been very supportive of the Friends of Margam Park, they do a fantastic job and I’m sure my colleagues will join me in thanking them for their tireless efforts. They play an important role in making Margam Park such a popular place for both local residents and visitors to the county borough. I hope that people shopping in Tesco will lend their support to the group and enable them to continue enhancing this fantastic green space for all to enjoy.”

Voting is open in stores from 2 January to 28 January. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered over £24 million to more than 2,400 projects up and down the UK. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups each month.

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to open the voting for January. There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t wait to see them come to life in hundreds of communities.”

Groundwork’s national Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said:

“We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding, ranging from outdoor classrooms, sports facilities, community gardens, play areas and everything in between.

“We’re looking forward to learning the results of the customer vote and then supporting each group to bring their project to life.”

The Bags of Help scheme is permanently open for applications and anyone can nominate a project at any time – whether it’s Tesco customers, colleagues or the community groups themselves. Just ask in store for more information or visit the Bags of Help website, visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp/