Tesco shopper selects Hamilton School to receive a £5,000 grant

Hamilton School is celebrating after being selected by a Tesco customer to receive a £5,000 grant. 

Customers at Birmingham Bournville Esso Tesco Express were given the chance to take part in a lucky dip to find a golden version of Tesco’s famous blue voting token. 

Hamilton School was one of three local community initiatives that customers could vote for to receive the £5,000 Golden Grant as part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme.

Katie Williams, Headteacher at Hamilton School, said: “We’re thankful to Tesco and its customers for selecting our school to receive this incredible grant. This funding will have a significant and lasting impact on our ability to support pupils with autism, particularly in meeting their sensory regulation needs. 

"Many of our pupils experience heightened sensory sensitivities that can affect their ability to engage in learning, communicate effectively, and feel calm and secure within a school environment, but now, with this funding, we have the resources to meet these needs and foster the growth of their development, independence, and confidence." 

More than 100 Tesco stores across the country took part in the Golden Grants event, with £500,000 in total being donated to good causes that help children and young people. 

Mark Podbury, Store Manager at Birmingham Bournville Esso Express, said: “We were thrilled to be taking part in Golden Grants and it's a great example on how Stronger Starts can make a real difference in our local community. It was really good to get our customers involved, and the grant recipient truly deserves this support. We are delighted to help them." 

Stronger Starts helps schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, as well as purchasing equipment for healthy activities. 

Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: “We are incredibly proud to award Golden Grants to over one hundred schools and local projects, supporting the vital work they do for our children and communities. Since we launched our grants programme in 2016, more than £120 million has been given to more than 67,000 local schools and community groups.” 

Golden Grants are part of Tesco’s £8 million Stronger Starts grant programme, which is delivered in partnership with the charity Groundwork UK.