Six independent co-operatives have together raised a total of £48,113 for NHS Charities Together from the sale of festive bouquets.
The co-operatives – Central England Co-op, East of England Co-op, Heart of England Co-operative, Midcounties Co-operative, Scotmid Co-operative and Southern Co-op – were part of the NHS Charities Together Christmas COVID-19 Appeal.
The retailers raised vital funds by selling a range of Christmas bouquets with £1 from each sale going to the appeal.
Brands that contributed to the appeal included Batiste which donated 40p from every canister of pink pineapple dry shampoo sold; Kindred which gave 100 per cent of the profits from the sale of its new rainbow clothing range; Marmite which donated £2 from the sale of every limited edition jar; and Starbucks which donated 50p from the sale of every colour changing cup.
Central England topped the co-operatives raising £13,944, followed by Midcounties (£11,332) and Southern Co-op (£10,390). East of England raised £5,551, Scotmid, £5,000 and Heart of England, £1,896.
The proceeds went to NHS charities across the UK so they can provide more much-needed support to NHS staff, volunteers and patients.
NHS Charities Together is the umbrella organisation that brings together all the official charities of the NHS.