Ellie’s Retreat, a bereavement support charity based in Enniskillen, has been awarded a Tesco Community Grant.

Located at Castle Archdale caravan park, Ellie's Retreat helps families who have lost a child by providing a free weekend or week break based in a static mobile and the charity has been awarded a £1,500 Tesco Community Grant to continue providing this service.

Ellie's Retreat offers families the space to grieve, have anonymity and spend time with family members and for those that stay in a mobile home, they provide bed linen, a welcome pack of groceries, toiletries, and family gifts.

Ciara Nicholl, Co-Founder of Ellie’s Retreat said: “We are incredibly grateful to Tesco for providing us with this funding to continue providing essential resources and services to those who are grieving the loss of a child.”

“Their contribution will make a real difference in the lives of so many people in the areas surrounding Enniskillen, and we thank them for their commitment to helping those in need."

The organisation received the money through Tesco’s Community Grant scheme, which uses the money raised from the levy on carrier bags to fund projects across the UK that aims to improve the well-being of people in its local community.

However, Tesco will soon be launching a new grant programme for UK Schools, supported by UK community charity Groundwork, which will replace the current Tesco Community Grants. It will focus on giving schools extra financial help to provide students with more healthy food and activities.

Tony McElroy, Tesco’s Community Manager for Northern Ireland, added: "It’s brilliant to see the amazing work that Ellie’s Retreat is doing to support those who have lost loved ones in their local community. Their dedication and commitment to providing compassionate care and support to families during extremely difficult times is truly inspiring.”

“It’s organisations like Ellie’s Retreat why our Tesco Community Grants exist as it shows first-hand how our grants can positively impact local communities.”

Tesco works in partnership with Groundwork to deliver its Community Grant funding scheme, which provides grants to thousands of local projects in communities across the UK, all voted on by customers in-store.

Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop using the blue token given to them at checkouts. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding of between £4,000 and £1,000.

To find out more about Tesco Community Grants go to www.tescocommunitygrants.org.uk.

For further information regarding Ellie’s Retreat visit www.elliesretreat.com or call on 02866329091.