Tesco Bags of Help initiative

Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services (BSARCS) calls out for votes to bag a share of Tesco’s bag fund

Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services (BSARCS) is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £4,000, up to £2,000 and £1,000 raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores awarded to local community projects.

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

BSARCS is one of the groups on the shortlist.

Using creative resources with children and young people who have experienced sexual violence to help aid recovery

“BSARCS uses creativity to help young survivors of sexual violence, as sometimes words can be too difficult to find.”

Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout March and April. 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 £40 million to 9,700 projects up and down the UK. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

Alec Brown, Head of Community at Tesco, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to open the voting for March and April. There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t wait to see these 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.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.

The Bags of Help initiative is supported by money raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores.
So far Bags of Help has awarded £40 million to 9,700 community projects.
For more information please visit: tesco.com/bagsofhelp.