Shoppers give back to schools in Blackpool South

This week I joined Asda and Parentkind to celebrate the success of their fantastic initiative, Cashpot for Schools. This year, the scheme raised nearly £5.8 million for more than 22,000 schools across the UK, including £8,600 for our primary schools here in Blackpool South.

The Cashpot for Schools scheme is the first of its kind, and I was excited to learn more about how it works. Essentially, it lets Asda customers donate 0.5% of their shopping total to a primary school of their choice. Asda then funds these donations and works with Parentkind to distribute the funds to schools that need them most.

The idea came from research that showed how much parents are being asked to contribute towards school activities – sometimes up to £138 a year. Schools are most in need of funding for things like school trips, books and learning materials and sports equipment.

It’s inspiring to see that Asda has made such a meaningful impact, helping schools with essential resources. It was inspiring to see how local people and businesses have come together to support education in our community. The £8,600 raised for our local primary schools will go directly towards the things that make a real difference in our children's education.

Thanks to Asda, Parentkind and all the customers who participated in the scheme. Your support is invaluable to our schools, and it’s making a real difference in the lives of young people here in Blackpool South.

As Jason Elsom, CEO of Parentkind, pointed out, schools have been under immense pressure recently, and PTAs have increasingly stepped up to help raise funds for everything from classroom essentials to supporting families facing tough times. It’s wonderful to see Asda's generosity at work, giving schools the chance to boost their budgets and make sure kids get the best possible start in life.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Cashpot for Schools will continue to support education and help build stronger communities across the country.