Costa Coffee, is once again extending a helping hand to communities across the United Kingdom – and is proud to give a little lift to 50 exceptional sporting groups and charities across the country, pledging a total of £50,000 in donations so far in 2024.
As the Official Coffee Partner at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Costa Coffee is celebrating a summer of sport by supporting local communities and sports clubs up and down the country, investing in the sporting talent of the future.
Celebrating ten years of its Community Programme, which has included supporting charity collaborations, volunteering, and use of space in store for local activities, Costa Coffee created the Community Grants programme in 2021 – in collaboration with Charities Trust. The Community Grants programme helps to enable the empowerment of Costa Coffee team members to nominate deserving causes in their region. This year, the donation has been increased from £500 to a generous £1,000 to help make an even greater impact in communities across the country.
With a £1,000 donation each, the 50 sporting charities and groups are eager to embark on new initiatives, expand existing programs, and continue fostering a passion for sport in their local areas.
One of the sports groups Costa Coffee has supported via its Community Grant Programme this summer is Karen Bordon Dance Academy. Nominated by the Store Manager at Costa Coffee’s East Kilbride store, Karen Bordon Dance Academy is a community-based academy in Glasgow, who teach children in the local area to dance across a variety of music genres.
With the £1,000 donation, the dance academy is using the funds towards dance costumes for their competing teams. Karen Leslie, Owner of Karen Bordon Dance Academy, says: “This donation from Costa Coffee comes at a crucial time, as with their support, we can reach more young people and promote the positive impact that dance can have on a child’s physical and mental wellbeing. We are incredibly grateful to have been nominated and receive the £1,000 Community Grant and are excited about what we can bring to the Hamilton community with this.”
Another charity who was nominated by its local Costa Coffee store in Primark on Commercial Road in Bournemouth is the Bournemouth Bobcats, who are an American Football team based in Dorset. The club has been running since the 1980’s, and the current team competes across the UK in Division One of the British American Football Association League. With Costa Coffee’s £1,000 donation, The Bournemouth Bobcats have been able to waive membership fees for players who would not have been able to participate otherwise.
Keith Barnes, General Manager for the Bournemouth Bobcats, said: “We are proud to be building a family-based team with a focus on unity and support for one another, both on and off the field. The money from the Costa Coffee Community Grant is very much needed to allow people to continue being part of our grassroots team, especially at a time when we’re seeing the positive impact of sport on mental wellbeing. It can help people to escape stress and channel their emotions in a safe environment, surrounded by likeminded people who encourage open discussion and support.”
Lastly, the newly re-branded Cheltenham Spa Women Football Club was nominated by a team member in Costa Coffee’s Head Office. The club has been running for over 12 years, providing grassroots football to the local community within Cheltenham and the adjoining areas for girls from the age of 5. With the £1,000 Community Grant from Costa Coffee, the sports club will now be able to provide their newly formed women’s team with their Home Match Day kit, where they are proudly showing off the new sponsorship.
Jo Lagan, Secretary at Cheltenham Spa Women Football Club, says: “Our dedicated coaches and managers who all act as volunteers just want to ensure that the girls have the opportunity to do what they love – play football – and Costa Coffee’s £1,000 donation will support this. We are truly thankful to have been nominated, as with the Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop’s support, we can help support and develop over 125 girls and women who are registered to our club.”
This latest round of donations brings Costa Coffee’s total contributions through its Community Grants Programme over the past three years to nearly £180,000, a testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and community enrichment.
Jo Jennings, Community Co-Ordinator at Costa Coffee, concludes: “We are thrilled to extend our support to these incredible sporting charities and groups who work tirelessly to uplift their communities. At Costa Coffee, we believe in the power of community and are proud to play a role in empowering these local groups to continue their invaluable work. Our Community Grants programme gives us the opportunity to make a real difference that goes beyond our doors, and we can’t wait to see and hear about how our donation has had a real impact on each of the nominated sporting groups.”
For more information on Costa Coffee’s Community Programme, click here.
