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Rockhampton Coles customers raised more than $3,200 as part of a fundraising appeal to help families affected by childhood cancer.
The efforts at Rockhampton North, Rockhampton South, and Yeppoon stores contributed to a total $3.2 million raised across the country in four weeks.
About $1.57 million went towards food rescue organisation SecondBite and nearly $1.5 million to national children’s cancer charity Redkite.
More than half the funds raised were from Coles supermarket customers who purchased a $2 donation card at the checkout.
Research released by SecondBite in November showed more than three-quarters of its food charities expected Christmas would be more difficult for the people they support in the community, with 72 per cent of agencies also reporting an increase in demand for food relief since COVID-19 began.
The impressive fundraising efforts by the local community have contributed to a record-breaking $3.2 million raised across the nation in just four weeks, which helped to support food rescue organisation, SecondBite and national children’s cancer charity, Redkite – more than 2.6 times the funds raised in the 2019 Christmas campaign.
Demonstrating the immense generosity of Australians in times of crisis, Gympie customers have raised more than $800 as part of Coles Group’s record-breaking fundraising appeal to help feed vulnerable Australians and families affected by childhood cancer.
More than half the funds raised were from Coles supermarket customers who purchased a $2 donation card at the checkout, with further record-breaking donations from Coles Express customers, providing much-needed support for SecondBite and Redkite, both of which faced increased demand for their services during the holiday season due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Shoppers in Victoria have proven they are among the most generous by helping to raise more than $600,000 for people doing it tough and supporting families affected by childhood cancer. During COVID-19, Coles shoppers at Donvale, Point Cook, Burwood East, Elsternwick and six other supermarkets purchased a $2 donation card and collectively raised $604,887 in funds for national children s cancer charity Redkite and national charity SecondBite, which redistributes surplus fresh food from Coles to Australians in need. Redkite ambassador Antonia Kidman with Redkite CEO Monique Keighery. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images New South Wales came in second, raising a total of $471,713 in funds, followed by Queensland with $253,776, South Australia with $194,137, Western Australia with $130,362, Northern Territory with $89,130, ACT with $57,337 and Tasmania with $51,737.