Tamworth Co-operative Society has handed out a total of £750 to three local good causes after having to cancel its annual Christmas Memorial Carol Concert for the second year running due to Covid.
A collection is usually taken at the popular service and split between St Editha’s Church and other doorstep charities. Tamworth Co-op’s board of directors, therefore, decided to make up for the loss of funds to ensure the support continued.
Representatives of the first two chosen beneficiaries – St Editha’s Church and the town’s Number Eight charity – attended the Society’s main funeral offices in Upper Gungate to accept their gifts.
Gwen Wilkinson, parish administrator and parish warden of St Editha’s Church, said the money will help to repair damage caused by a mouse. She revealed the cash will be used to replace an altar mat on which married couples kneel on to receive a blessing after being declared man and wife.
“All churches have a church mouse and our furry visitor has nibbled through the old altar mat,” said Mrs Wilkinson.
“We’ve been looking to replace it for some time, so we are extremely grateful for this donation. It came as a very pleasant but unexpected surprise.”
Dawn Candy, director of operations at Tamworth’s Number Eight charity, which provides accommodation with 24-hour-support to single mothers and their babies, also received a cheque for £250.
She said: “The money from the Tamworth Co-op will be used to buy a colour printer which will benefit both staff and residents. It will help us to cut down on costs for things like producing posters.
“It will be really useful for our various training activities. I’d like to say a big thankyou to Tamworth Co-op for giving us this kind donation.”
The name of the organisation comes from the address of the first premises it secured, the former Presbytery, 8 St John Street, Tamworth. The charity also has a second home in Albert Road which opened in 2017. The two homes cater for a total of 12 mums and their babies. Both are staffed around the clock. The young residents receive help with parenting skills and education as well as receiving emotional support. A third Number Eight home in Coton Green is dedicated to young parents and their babies.
The charity has celebrated several notable firsts in recent years including welcoming its first twins and helping a young mum to gain a maths qualification. This was the key to her being able to go on to study at college.
Glen Speak, deputy general manager of Tamworth Co-op’s funeral group which organises the memorial service for lost loved ones, said he was delighted to support two excellent causes.
“It’s wonderful to be able to support Number Eight because they do an incredible job with young people and their babies at a time when such help is so desperately needed. It’s also great to be able to put right the damage caused by the church mouse at St Editha’s!”
*Number Eight has recently launched a campaign to purchase its home in Albert Road. Any individuals or businesses willing to help with fundraising should contact Dawn on 01827 62400.
