Charitable work
As a co-operative, playing an active role in our local community is vital to us.
We contribute time and resources to a variety of local charities, and offer honorary membership to local NHS and Blood Bike staff.
Dumfriesshire Foodbank
Dumfriesshire Foodbank provides nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
The Wood Fuel Co-operative supports the work of the Foodbank in a number of ways. In the winter of 2016-17 we donated 1,000 ‘Cosy Night In’ boxes, for the Foodbank to sell. These were sold from our shop and the forecourt of our local Tesco petrol station (who kindly donated prime retail space), with all proceeds going directly to the Foodbank.
We now offer an option where local customers can join the Wood Fuel Co-operative by donating £50 to the Foodbank, in return for lifetime membership. Since January 2017, our members have donated over £12,000 to the Dumfriesshire Foodbank under this scheme.
Borders Forest Trust
In the winter of 2019/2020 we started our Plant A Tree scheme. For every tonne of briquettes we sell, we plant one native tree in the UK. Whether you buy one pack or one palet, every purchase counts towards our total. We do this in partnership with Borders Forest Trust, who plant areas of native woodland in the Scottish Borders.
In January 2020, we kicked the scheme off by purchasing 2,107 trees, which will be planted at sites in Southern Scotland for the sole purpose of habitat creation. These trees will never be felled but will be left to complete their natural life cycle.
July 2020 update: all 2,107 trees have now been planted at a total cost of £5,267.50. Two pounds fifty pence per tree planted is fabulous value for enhancing the environment. We are delighted to work with the Borders Forest Trust on this planting programme and look forward to playing our part in re-wilding the Borders hills again in 2021.
Winter Warmth for Older People Project
The Winter Warmth for Older People Project is run by The Hub, a local community action centre in Dumfries; the Community Payback Unit (Dumfries & Galloway Council); and local landowners.
The project delivers free firewood to older people on low incomes in Dumfries & Galloway each winter.
Over the winter months, we donate about four tonnes of wood fuel to the Winter Warmth Project. The fuel is then distributed for free to those who need it.
Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes
Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes is a charitable organisation set up by local volunteers to deliver essential blood and urgent medical supplies, in and out of hours, between hospitals and healthcare sites in South West Scotland and sometimes beyond.
We offer Blood Bike volunteers free honorary membership of the Wood fuel Co-operative, as a recognition of the important work they do for our local community. To claim your free membership, please bring your Blood Bike ID to our office.
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
All Dumfries and Galloway NHS staff are eligible for free honorary membership of the Wood Fuel Co-operative. This is as a thank you to the staff who looked after Rowland when he was very ill in 2015.
If you are a member of D&G NHS staff, claim your free membership by bringing your NHS ID to our office. This offer also applies to NHS staff who live in Dumfries & Galloway but work for neighbouring NHS Trusts.
