Local Heroes
We know that many colleagues at our stores, distribution centre and business centre donate their time and effort to a broad range of good causes outside work. We actively support these fundraising and volunteering efforts through our Local Heroes awards.
The Local Heroes scheme plays a major role in recognising and rewarding the efforts colleagues make in support of local charities and good causes. We match all funds raised with awards of between £200 and £500 and colleagues who volunteer in their own time receive £200 for their charity or community group. We donated a total of over £100,000 through more than 350 awards to groups of colleagues in 2004/05.
Our target to increase the number of awards by 10% in 2004/05 was not met, but we have now enhanced Local Heroes for 2005/06, making it accessible to more colleagues across all areas of the business – including our newly-acquired convenience stores (Bells, Jacksons and Beaumont). We have also increased the funding available to reflect the increased size of the scheme. We are particularly keen to promote and reward colleagues' involvement in charities and local community activities that compliment our business goals and values. Examples include:
- Any activity associated with Active Kids or Taste of Success
- School governors, school projects, kids play schemes
- Sports across all age groups, including coaching and disabled sports
- All youth organisations (cubs, scouts, guides) and clubs for the disabled
- Fundraising for causes related to health (cancer, heart disease, etc)
Our goal for 2005/06 is to increase the number of colleagues participating from 1,400 in 2004/05 to over 5,000 in 2005/06.
