The Channel Islands Co-operative Society’s Easter campaign has exceeded expectations by raising nearly £12,000 which will make a significant difference to individuals and families in need of extra support by creating 900 care packages across the Channel Islands. Extra funds raised through the campaign will be donated to the charities to support their ongoing activity.

Customers and members were given the opportunity to purchase a £2.50 Easter donation voucher which the Society then matched to cover the cost of a £5 care package. During the two weeks the vouchers were on sale, £11,740 was raised across both Islands. Filled with treats to bring some brightness to those who need support the most this Easter, the care packages will support around 600 Islanders in Jersey and 300 in Guernsey through numerous charities.

Ell Hopton, the Society’s community and sustainability manager, said: ‘We are thrilled that the Easter donation campaign has been such a success and has captured our customers’ and members’ imaginations in the run up to Easter. The partnership approach, where the Co-op has matched the donations raised, has proven popular and we are so happy that we will be able to donate extra on top of the care packages already planned for the charities.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Easter donation campaign; your contribution will make a real difference to those in need across the Channel Islands.’

In Jersey the care packages will be distributed through Salvation Army, Shelter Trust, Age Concern, Causeway Association, Women’s Refuge, Jersey Association for Youth and Friendship and Brighter Futures.

Food for Families (Les Cotils, Bright Beginnings and Wigwam), Salvation Army, Guernsey Welfare Service and Age Concern will distribute the care packages to their networks in Guernsey.