NEWS FEED
Poole Council has announced it has bagged £10,000 from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.
The supermarket teamed up with Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help initiative, which saw grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to environmental and greenspace projects.
Eight million shoppers voted in stores up and down the country. And the Borough of Poole’s project ‘Life’s a Beach’ was awarded £10,000.
Almost 20 percent of the working population in the UK are disabled. Peak tourist times, such as bank holiday weekends, can be a reminder of how many places remain inaccessible to them. As the beaches are one of Poole’s most attractive and popular assets, it is important that all residents are able to enjoy and access them without limits.
The Mobi-Mat provides this access point, with a Mobi Chair allowing a seamless transition from the beach to both the mat and water. The chair is designed for all and can be taken into the sea to help those with impaired ability. As few beaches have pioneered schemes that include ramps and the use of wheelchairs.
Cllr John Rampton, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Borough of Poole, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Borough of Poole has been awarded £10,000 from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.
“This will help to make Poole’s beaches more attractive and accessible to both our residents and visitors. I look forward to seeing the benefits and enjoyment that the Mobi-Mat and Mobi Chair will bring.”
Caroline Silke, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Bags of Help has been a fantastic success.
“We have been overwhelmed by the response of our customers and the feedback has been brilliant.
“We can’t wait to see the money being put to use bringing these projects to life.
“Nominations for the next round of the initiative opened in April and we look forward to helping a further round of groups and projects bag their share of the bag charge fund.”
Groundwork’s national chief executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “We have been delighted to have been involved in the Bags of Help project.
“It has been wonderful to follow the projects through the application process to the final announcement.
“This is money which will go directly back into the communities up and down the country creating places to meet people, be active, play or simply relax. This initiative is really putting something back into the local environment, transforming greenspaces and helping the community at a grass-roots level.”
