First Formby Scout Group calls out for votes to bag a share of Tesco bag fund

First Formby Scout Group calls out for votes to bag a share of Tesco’s bag fund

First Formby Scout Group (serving Formby for over a century) 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.

First Formby Scouts are one of the groups on the shortlist.

Following a camp in the summer of 1908 First Formby Scouts were formally registered with The Boy Scouts Association in January 1909 and are one of the few original Scout Troops to have met continuously since. In the mid 1970’s we became one of the first Scout Groups to admit girls and in 1984 were the first group on Merseyside to establish a Beaver Scout Colony for younger members (5 ¾ to 8 years). Our Cub Pack celebrates its Centenary this year.

In the early 1920’s the group acquired a wooden hut from Harington Barracks and relocated it off Rosemary Lane. Since then it has been extended but as with any building in its second century of use is now in need of some “tender loving care”. We are now raising funds to refurbish the hut to make it fit for use by future generations of Formby youngsters.

Nick Greenwood, Group Scout Leader, said “I am delighted that Tesco Bags of Help have recognised that we are providing benefits to our community and we encourage everyone to support us.

Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout January and February. 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 January and February. 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.