Tamworth Co-operative Society’s convenience store in Dosthill is helping its next-door neighbour to become an al fresco ‘seat’ of learning.
Vicky Freeman, manager of the Tamworth Co-op’s convenience store in Dosthill, presents the cheque for £922 to Dosthill Community Primary School pupils. Head teacher Tony Hand and bursar Sue Marriott are also pictured.
A grant of £922 from the Society’s Community Dividend Fund will be spent on new benches for relaxation and outdoor lessons at Dosthill Primary.
A party of young pupils made the short journey to the store to collect the cheque.
Head teacher Tony Hand said he was amazed by the ‘tremendous’ amount raised by shoppers donating the dividends they earned on their purchases.
“We are a community school and this is an excellent community scheme,” he said.
“The staff, parents and children are regular Co-op customers and I’m grateful to everybody who has donated their dividends to help us.
“We don’t have enough benches in the grounds at the moment and the ones we do have are in need of an upgrade. This money will enable us to buy better quality benches for the children to enjoy. In warmer weather they will be ideal for lessons too.”
The new Dosthill Co-op was built on the site of a former workingmen’s club last spring, and Mr Hand said the two organisations have become good neighbours.
“We are all very grateful for this gift, and we’d like to thank the Tamworth Co-op for making this possible.”
The cheque was handed over by Vicky Freeman, manager of the Dosthill Co-op, to members of the school council, in the presence of Mr Hand and school bursar Sue Marriott.