Members and customers of Scotmid Co-op have raised £22,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Venezuela Earthquake Appeal through micro-donation charity Pennies.
The partnership with Pennies, which kicked off in 2025, has allowed Scotmid shoppers to add a 10p donation on top of their purchases when paying by card or their digital wallet.
The DEC appeal launched after two devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela in June, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands of people dead or injured.
It aimed to provide vital support to affected communities, including emergency shelter, food, clean water and medical care.
Scotmid Co-op said individual donations had quickly added up to £22,000 over four weeks, demonstrating how convenience retail could help to ”mobilise member and customer generosity at scale in response to major humanitarian emergencies”.
“Raising £22,000 in just four weeks is a fantastic achievement and shows the collective impact that optional donations at the till can have when members and customers are given a simple way to support urgent causes,” said Scotmid Co-op CEO Karen Scott.
“We’re incredibly grateful to every member and customer who chose to donate. Each 10p donation contributes to something much bigger and, together, our members and customers have made a significant contribution to the DEC appeal and the vital work it supports.
“As a co-operative retailer, we believe our stores can play an important role in bringing people together around the causes that matter. It has been heartening to see that spirit reflected by our members and customers as part of the wider UK response to this emergency.”
Musgrave NI convenience brands SuperValu and Centra have also recently joined forces with Pennies so customers can donate to its long-term charity partner Action Cancer when paying by card.
Pennies other retail partners include Lidl, Iceland, Holland & Barrett, Boots and Superdrug.
No comments yet