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Writer's pictureFundraising Manager

Lifesaving Volunteers call out for votes to get a share of Tesco’s Stronger Starts fund

BASICS Devon is bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme.


Stronger Starts provides grant awards of up to £1,500 to local community projects, with a particular focus on children and young people.


Three groups in every community have been shortlisted to receive grant awards and Tesco customers can vote for the group they think should take away the top award in their local Tesco store.


BASICS Devon is one of the groups on the shortlist in Plymouth, in Ivybridge, Ivybridge Express, Lee Mill Extra, Plympton Express and Plympton St Marys Express stores.


BASICS Devon volunteers support the South Western Ambulance Service, providing 24/7 pre-hospital emergency care with specialist skills and equipment to help save lives. Often first on scene, responding in their own vehicles. Educating communities and emergency carers, teaching vital life-saving skills. Their focus is emergency response and health education, especially teaching BLS (Basic Life Support/CPR) to children, young people and adults, to empower their local communities.

Figure 1 - Plymouth Responders Left to right, Dr Marc Epps, Dr Ian Higginson, Dr Anthony Golding-Cook, Dr Simon Scott-Hayward

Dr Marc Epps, long serving Volunteer Immediate Care Doctor said; "We remain committed to provide and support local responders to help those in our community when needed the most.”


Voting is open in all Tesco stores from July to August. Customers will cast their vote using a blue token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.


BASICS Devon will also be at Derriford University Hospital, Plymouth on Wednesday 10th July 10am-3pm, in the main building in the concourse, if you want to find out more about how you too can get involved.


This £5m Stronger Starts grant programme, delivered in partnership with Groundwork UK, helps schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, and sports equipment for after school clubs.


Claire de Silva, Tesco UK Head of Communities and Local Media, said: “Helping schools and children’s groups access the food and resources they need is vitally important in getting children a stronger start in life. Children with enough food have more energy, better concentration, and ultimately achieve more too."


Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, said: “As a community charity, we have seen first-hand how schools and other groups supporting young people have been playing a much bigger role in ensuring children are getting a healthy start to the day and getting access to spaces and services to support physical activity and mental health. Family budgets are tight and school budgets are tight, but it’s so important that children stay fed, fit and focused, so we’re delighted to be able to prioritise these activities alongside Tesco with the Stronger Starts programme.”


Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities, particularly those helping to provide food and giving children the support they need for a good start in life.


Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit tescoplc.com/strongerstarts


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Notes to editors: ·


For more information please visit: tescoplc.com/strongerstarts


Interview available with volunteers & photos attached


About BASICS Devon

BASICS Devon is a network of 14 emergency volunteer doctors providing immediate access to specialist medical care at the scene of an accident or illness. Making themselves available around the clock throughout the year, responding to incidents at the request of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. The charity relies solely on donations.

• BASICS Devon doctors aim to provide a fast response to incidents in rural areas and use their extensive skills to support patient care.

• For further information, to donate or get involved please visit: www.basics-devon.org.uk


For further information please contact Amie Bull, Fundraising Manager amie.bull@basics-devon.org.uk T: 01752 936299 or visit: www.basics-devon.org.uk

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