Barnsley-based Company Shop has donated 527 £10 vouchers to our schools to help individuals and families who are struggling in these times.

The vouchers have been distributed across our eight primary schools and five secondary schools – relevant to the size of the school and the amount of support needed. From here, representatives from each school can go to the Tankersley store before the 31st March to bulk-buy essential items – such as food and personal hygiene products – to the value of the vouchers that they have received.

Company Shop – the leading redistributor of surplus food and household products – chose to donate to us after receiving funding from stock partners, and deciding that the best way to use it was to support the local community through schools, charities and housing associations.

Matt Sutton, Operations Manager at Wickersley Parntership Trust said: “We’re so grateful for Company Shop’s generous donation. We have received excellent feedback from our Headteachers and we’ll be sure to put the vouchers to good use to support those within Wickersley Partnership Trust’s communities who need it the most. Thank you Company Shop.”

Natalie Davis from Company Shop Group added: “Following a generous donation from our stock partners, we wanted to support the members who we felt would benefit most from additional help at such a difficult time. These were identified as families who are currently in receipt of free school meals and other means tested benefits. As schools are a key part of our communities, distributing vouchers via this route ensured help was getting to the families who needed it the most. This enabled family’s access to deeply discounted food across our stores supporting our local communities. Company Shop Group provides a shopping experience offering the member a wide range of products available, as well as providing access to a range of personal development programmes.”

Again, we’d like to say a massive thank you to Company Shop for the donation – it will make a huge difference to some of the families in our school communities.