Communities across the South are set to receive a boost this winter thanks to Southern Co-op’s Magical Moments, a festive initiative combining £75,000 in funding for local causes with 500 free Christmas shops in stores throughout December.
Through its annual 2025 Winter Fund, Southern Co-op will award 50 grants of £1,500 to charities, food banks, and community groups that are providing warm spaces and food to those in need this winter.
Delivered in partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that connects businesses with local causes, the fund is now in its third year. In past years, it has supported a wide range of initiatives offering essential help to vulnerable members of the community through the colder months, with donations made to over 100 good causes since the Winter Fund began in 2023.
In addition to its Winter Fund, Southern Co-op will also be surprising customers at random with 500 free Christmas shops for £30 each across its retail stores during December. The initiative is designed to help ease some of the financial pressure that the festive season can bring as households continue to face rising living costs, as well as add some extra festive cheer at the tills
Throughout the month, select lucky shoppers will have their festive shopping paid for, whether they’re stocking up on the essentials or choosing special items from the Irresistible Range to add that extra magic to Christmas Day.
"Winter presents real challenges for many communities, and our Magical Moments campaign is all about offering tangible support when it's needed most, as well as bringing those unexpected moments of joy to people’s day,” said Southern Co-op COO Simon Eastwood.
"From backing local groups doing vital work via our Winter Fund, to helping customers shoulder the cost of Christmas with free festive shops, we look forward to celebrating this special time of year by giving back.
“Over the next few months, our colleagues will play an essential role in our campaign, with members of our Head Office working alongside store teams, which is a great reminder of what being a co-operative is really all about. We also have more to come as we roll out Magical Moments across our stores throughout December, so watch this space!”
For the 2025 Winter Fund, applications are open now via Neighbourly and close on 30 November 2025: https://www.neighbourly.com/winterfundsoco2025
Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to standard vetting checks, and is open to groups across Berkshire, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, London, Somerset, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire.
Successful applicants will be confirmed before Christmas, with funds issued in early January.