RG Excellence Awards 2026 winner OurCoop has raised more than £650,000 for Samaritans since beginning its partnership with the mental health charity two years ago.

The fundraising milestone comes as the Co-op celebrates the second anniversary of its partnership, which has seen colleagues and customers support Samaritans through a range of fundraising activities.

Funds have been raised through customer donations and colleague-led initiatives across OurCoop’s retail estate and wider business.

The partnership forms part of OurCoop’s wider community and social impact activity. The Samaritans relationship focused on supporting people experiencing emotional distress and helping to ensure its services remain accessible to those who need them.

Samaritans provides round-the-clock emotional support to people considering suicide or those worried about friends and family. Its services are available by phone, email and other channels.

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The partnership has also provided opportunities to raise awareness of the charity’s work among colleagues and customers, alongside generating funds for its services.

OurCoop’s fundraising comes at a time when demand for mental health support remains a significant issue across the UK, with charities and retailers increasingly working together to improve access to support and encourage conversations around mental wellbeing.

OurCoop said the two-year milestone marked an important point in its relationship with Samaritans, while the partnership will continue beyond the fundraising achievement.

The convenience retailer took home the Sustainable Retailer of the Year at the first RG Excellence Awards, held on 14 October of London’s Underglobe. Deliveroo won Grocer of the Year, with Holland & Barrett securing Supply Chain Initiative of the Year.