We are bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative to help our pupils!

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco Express stores in Churchtown, Ainsdale, Birkdale, Hesketh and Eastbank Street to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the shortlisted groups!

We plan to use any grant they are awarded to build a traversing wall which will improve the well-being of the autistic children who attend the school in a number of ways including retention of learning, building motor skills, increasing problem solving skills, supporting language development and improving balance and spatial awareness.

“Climbing helps children with autism achieve a number of personal goals, it is a catalyst which helps develop concentration, problem solving, perseverance and determination. There is a sense of achievement upon completing a climb, which then promotes self- confidence and assurance.” Aly Anderson, Outdoor Education Instructor, Peterhouse School

Voting is open in Tesco Express stores in and around Southport throughout May and June. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered over £28.5 million to more than 4,000 projects up and down the UK. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions are awarded funding.

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to open the voting for May and June. There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t wait to see them come to life in hundreds of communities.”

Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said:

“We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding, ranging from outdoor classrooms, sports facilities, community gardens, play areas and everything in between.

“We’re looking forward to learning the results of the customer vote and then supporting each group to bring their project to life.”