Down Syndrome Tipperary benefits from community fund

A TESCO blue token at the checkout might feel like a small thing, but over the past 12 years, millions of those small acts of support have helped fund over 27,000 community projects across Ireland. In Tipperary alone, 1,160 community projects have been supported through the Tesco Community Fund, with €337,576 in funding.

This week, Tesco Ireland announced that its Community Fund has surpassed €10 million in donations, supporting over 27,000 community projects in towns, villages and communities across the country since 2014. From sensory gardens for children with autism and equipment for local sports clubs, to community spaces tackling social isolation and charities supporting vulnerable people, the customer-led initiative has helped thousands of organisations make a meaningful difference, where it matters most.

The milestone reflects a simple idea: while one small act may not change the world, lots of small acts can. This is the same thinking behind Tesco's new 'That's Every Little Helps' campaign, which celebrates the meaningful everyday actions that make a real difference for customers and communities across Ireland.

Through the Tesco Community Fund, each of Tesco's 194 stores donate up to €1,500 every 12 weeks to three local community groups. Customers decide where that funding goes by voting for their preferred cause using the blue tokens they receive at checkout.

Down Syndrome Tipperary

One organisation supported by the Tesco Community Fund is Down Syndrome Tipperary (DST), a parent-led charity that has been helping children and adults with Down syndrome develop independence, confidence and life skills for more than 50 years. Based in Thurles and run almost entirely by volunteer parents, the organisation supports 127 members, ranging from babies to adults in their 50s. Through a wide range of therapies, activities and social opportunities, DST helps members build confidence, develop new skills and create lasting friendships, while supporting families at every stage of life's journey.

Members can access speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, yoga, dance classes, summer camps and day trips, all designed to help them reach their full potential. One of the organisation's most inspiring initiatives is its weekly training café, where adult members develop practical workplace skills, from serving customers and preparing refreshments to shopping for supplies and managing day-to-day tasks.

The organisation's purpose-built centre, Meitheal 21, has become a welcoming hub for members and families alike. It provides a space where individuals can learn, socialise and grow in confidence, while also hosting activities and events that showcase members' talents and achievements.

Down Syndrome Tipperary has received support through the Tesco Community Fund on four occasions from Tesco stores in Thurles and Nenagh, receiving a total of €1,141.56. The funding has helped cover transport costs for summer camps and day trips, contributed towards day-to-day running costs and supported the organisation in continuing to provide valuable services for its members and their families.

Aine Knightly, Operations Manager at Down Syndrome Tipperary, said: “The funding has helped with transport to summer camps and day trips, as well as contributing towards our day-to-day running costs and just helping keep our doors open. We're hugely appreciative of that support. It means so much to us.”

Looking to the future, Down Syndrome Tipperary hopes to establish a permanent community café where members can continue developing workplace and life skills while becoming even more involved in their local community. With continued support, the organisation will keep creating opportunities for people with Down syndrome to grow in confidence, achieve their goals and truly shine.

Naomi Kasolowsky, Customer Director at Tesco Ireland said: “When people hear €10 million, it sounds like a big number. But what really matters is the thousands of stories behind it. Every day, customers place a blue token in a voting box without thinking much about it, but what they might not realise is that those small acts of support have helped fund sensory gardens, sports equipment, youth services, community spaces and thousands of local projects across Ireland. - every blue token represents a small act of support. Together, those small acts have helped over 27,000 projects across Ireland. That's the power of lots of people doing one small thing to help. And that's what Every Little Helps has always meant to us.”

To learn more about the Tesco Community Fund, visit: https://tescoireland.ie/sustainability/places/community-fund