Justin Tomlinson MP today launched Asda's Community Life initiative at the Orbital Shopping Park.
The scheme will see three featured local charities every 2 months who will receive a donation from the store. Shoppers will have the chance to vote for their favourite charity with the tokens given to them when they shop. The donation will be shared between the three charities in proportion to the tokens received.
The first three local charities are Swindon BATS, CALM and the NSPCC, all of whom were at the launch to share with Justin and local shoppers, the work that they do to help vulnerable people in Swindon.
Swindon CALM provide support for local families who have children affected by cancer and leukemia and is run by parents who have experienced what it is like to have a child diagnosed with cancer. Working to support children being treated at the GWH, they provide a real lifeline for families.
Swindon BATS work to improve the quality of life for visually impaired people by organising various social and sporting activities locally. Their age range covers the very youngest children, right through to the elderly and their activities range from the simplest social event, through to entering a team into the National Blind Ten-Pin Bowling Association's annual national competition.
The NSPCC works to held end cruelty to children and support its victims, running well known support services such as Childline. In Swindon this year, 3000 people will use this service, showing the difference that national charities like the NSPCC make in our local communities.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "This is a fantastic initiative to engage with the local community. It is also an excellent opportunity for our local charities, who work hard to support vulnerable sections of our communities but are often relatively unsung, to reach a huge number of people, sharing their work and asking for support.
"I meet frequently with lots of different local charitites and am lucky to see the work that they do. I am delighted that these charities can now share this more widely and hopefully gain the volunteers and donations that keep them going."