Young designers bag a chance to support Community Cares Fund

eddy, aged 9, one of the winners of the East of England Co-op competition to design limited edition shopper bags to raise money for its Community Cares Fund

East of England Co-op has launched limited-edition shopper bags designed by local children. And the bags are raising money for the local retailer’s Community Cares Fund

Six children across the east of England have won a competition to have their designs featured on the East of England Co-op’s shopper bags. The competition, which ran last summer, asked local children (aged 4-11) to design a shopper bag celebrating the theme of kindness and caring for others. Children submitted designs at their local East of England Co-op stores and the colleagues selected their favourite entries. Six of the shortlisted designs were then chosen as winners to feature on the bags. Customers can choose from three different bags, with two designs on each bag.

Teddy, now age 9, said: “It feels really good seeing my design on the bag. I hope when people see it, they’ll be kind because it’s got kind words on.” Teddy’s winning design was shortlisted by colleagues at Hurstlea Road East of England Co-op in Needham Market.

Jackie Mayes, Branch Manager said: “Teddy’s design feels joyful, positive, and full of heart, exactly the kind of message that lifts a whole community. There’s something so pure about how children capture big life messages in simple colourful ways.”

Gracie, aged 11, one of the winners of the East of England Co-op competition to design limited edition shopper bags to raise money for its Community Cares Fund — Gracie, aged 11, one of the winners of the competition to have their designs featured on the East of England Co-op’s shopper bags (pictured with Paul Bates, Branch Manager at Manningtree)

Gracie, now age 11, said: “I’m very proud to see my design on the bag, I drew it because I thought it would make people feel happy about themselves. Sometimes if you have a bad day and someone just smiles at you it can make you feel ten times better.”

Paul Bates, Branch Manager at Manningtree East of England Co-op where Gracie’s winning design was shortlisted said: “Gracie’s design was one of the first that came in and it immediately stood out. I think our customers will love the colour and message.”

£10,000 of the profits from the limited-edition bags, which are available to buy for £1 at all East of England Co-op stores, will go to the retailer’s Community Cares Fund. This fund supports local charities that are making a difference in local communities.

The limited-edition bags are raising money for the local retailer’s Community Cares Fund

The six winners are:

Teddy, age 8. Hurstlea Road East of England Co-op in Needham Market, Suffolk.
Corban, age 8. Walton East of England Co-op in Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Myla, age 5. Barking Road East of England Co-op in Needham Market, Suffolk.
Gracie, age 10. Manningtree East of England Co-op, Essex.
Charlotte, age 9 ¾. Connaught Avenue East of England Co-op in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex.
Isabel, age 9. Wymondham East of England Co-op in Norfolk.

*Ages correct at time of competition win

East of England Co-op

Featured images supplied by East of England Co-op