- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), Co-op and Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) bring Meals That Matter back, helping fund year-round sport and build visibility ahead of the 2026 National Summer Games
- Until 1 September, 5p will be donated to Special Olympics GB for every qualifying Co-op lunchtime meal deal purchased
- Four Special Olympics GB athletes are featured across in-store materials, helping challenge perceptions of intellectual disability through everyday retail moments
Running until 1 September, the latest meal deal supports wider efforts to build visibility for Special Olympics GB athletes at its first National Summer Games for nine years, which culminates in Birmingham from 27 – 30 August and is giving opportunities for more than 1,200 people with an intellectual disability the chance to compete.
For every qualifying Co-op lunchtime meal deal purchased that includes a 500ml bottle or can of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or Diet Coke, 5p will be donated to Special Olympics GB, helping fund year-round sports programmes for more than 12,000 athletes with an intellectual disability across England, Scotland and Wales.
Makaton symbols are integrated into point-of-sale materials again this summer, helping ensure the campaign is accessible to the more than 10,000 children and adults across the UK who use Makaton to communicate.
Since launching in 2025, the Meals That Matter partnership has raised over £200,000 for Special Olympics GB, helping it use sport to ensure that people with an intellectual disability are seen, valued and taken seriously.
The campaign will be supported by in-store materials and digital touchpoints across participating Co-op stores nationwide, including front-of-store displays, digital screens and branded bays in 290 stores. There will also be a dedicated Birmingham store activation, with window and in-store displays featuring all four athletes.
The campaign features four athletes from across Great Britain - triathlete and swimmer Angus Leckonby (East Yorkshire), swimmer Taylor MacKenzie (Dundee), rhythmic gymnast Ellie‑Bea Thomas (Northampton) and table tennis player Alex Rae (Aberdeen) – whose stories sit at the heart of the campaign’s in-store creative.
Coca‑Cola – alongside CCEP – is Headline Partner of the 2026 National Summer Games. The ‘We Can’ athlete films and Meals That Matter are two ways the partnership is being brought to life ahead of the Games.
“Meals That Matter turns a familiar moment in retail into something more meaningful," said Holly Firmin, Senior Community Partnerships Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. "Every qualifying meal deal helps raise funds for Special Olympics GB’s year-round work, while giving athletes greater visibility in the places people shop every day.
With the National Summer Games coming to Birmingham later this month, it’s a great moment to help more people discover the athletes and communities Special Olympics GB supports.”
Laura Baxter MBE, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB, said: “Every athlete featured in this campaign has a story to be celebrated. They're talented competitors, brilliant teammates and role models for future generations, yet too often people with an intellectual disability are not seen in this way.
“Meals That Matter helps change that. By seeing our athletes in Co-op stores across the country, more people will discover what Special Olympics GB is all about and, we hope, be inspired by everything these athletes can achieve. We’d love to see people continue that support at the National Summer Games in Birmingham this month. Come along, cheer on our athletes and be part of what’s going to be an incredibly special few days.”
Michael Williams, Senior Buying Manager at Co-op, added: “Last year's campaign showed just how much our customers enjoy getting behind a cause that makes a real difference. It's been fantastic to see Meals That Matter return and continue celebrating the amazing athletes at the heart of Special Olympics GB.
Every qualifying meal deal is a simple way for shoppers to support the charity while learning more about the people whose stories are featured throughout our stores. We're delighted to be part of it again.”
Coca-Cola has been a founding partner of Special Olympics since 1968, with its commitment extending to Special Olympics GB since the movement launched in Great Britain in 1978. Today, Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners continue that legacy through volunteering, fundraising and programmes that champion inclusion both on and off the field.