The Co-operative Group has raised £6m for its 2013 charity of the year Carers Trust.
The total figure smashes the £5m the society had planned to raise – a target it reached in January this year.
Co-op staff raised the amount through a series of activities including mountain climbing, abseiling, marathon running, sky diving and in-store events.
“I have been overwhelmed by the success of our partnership with The Co-operative Group and, with the support and enthusiasm of its staff, members and customers,” said Carers Trust CEO Thea Stein.
“Employees of The Co-operative across all of its businesses including food, pharmacy, funeralcare, banking group, online electrical and legal services have carried out all kinds of amazing fundraising activities alongside a host of community-based store events,” she added.
“They have raised awareness of this often hidden issue and highlighted the challenges facing young adult carers in society, a group that has until recently fallen between two services, being: adult carers and young carers.”
The money raised by The Co-op has allowed the charity to announce the first tranche of donations from its About Time grants programme – through which 21 carer schemes will receive donations of up to £43,000. A website called Matter has also been launched to address issues of social isolation among young carers.
Nick Folland, external affairs director for The Co-operative Group, added: “Young adult carers are often described as the glue holding families together, they take on incredible levels of practical and emotional caring responsibilities, often at the expense of their own education and aspirations.
“The Co-operative trades at the heart of the community and I am extremely proud that the enthusiasm of The Co-operative’s staff, members and customers is not only helping to raise awareness of this hidden issue but is also making a real difference to thousands of young lives.”
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