Member Article

5p plastic bag pledge boosts Challenge 4 Change

A Trafford Park charity is set for a windfall after being chosen by retailer That’s Entertainment to receive half of its proceeds from the new 5p charge for plastic bags.

The Stockport-based chain will divide the proceeds between Challenge 4 Change and the Teenage Cancer Trust for the year to May 31.

Challenge 4 Change runs a 19,000 sq ft indoor activity centre which includes an arena with aerial and ground-level assault courses, a climbing wall and a mock jail.

It also operates a mobile training centre in the form of a converted double-decker bus equipped with a zip wire and a climbing wall.

Challenge 4 Change is used by schools and colleges, housing associations, businesses, sports clubs, charities and community organisations.

The charity aims to help people build their confidence, improve their problem-solving and communication skills and encourage team working.

Shoppers are being charged 5p for every plastic bag they buy from retailers in England with 250 or more full-time employees.

Retailers can choose what to do with the proceeds, but they are expected to donate it to charity.

That’s Entertainment has 24 stores selling new and used CDs, DVDs and computer games. It is part of the Entertainment Magpie group, which is based in Hazel Grove and is best-known for operating the UK’s largest Recommerce website musicMagpie.co.uk.

Group chief executive Steve Oliver said: “We hope to raise valuable funds from the sale of hundreds of thousands of bags across our chain of stores.

“Challenge 4 Change is a fantastic local charity that forges links between diverse groups in our communities and, in particular, works with those less privileged to demonstrate the benefits of teamwork and community spirit using its indoor urban experiential learning facility.

“We have worked with Challenge 4 Change for three years and we are happy to continue our support of its outstanding activities.

“Our other chosen charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust, is a national one and needs little explanation. Its work in providing physical and emotional support to people affected by cancer is simply invaluable.”

Dave Djordjevic, chief executive of Challenge 4 Change, said: “This is a fantastic gesture from That’s Entertainment. We really value its support, which will mean that more people will benefit from our programmes and be better equipped to contribute to the local economy and community as a result.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Challenge 4 Change .