Announcing our Cream of the Community Fund charities for 2026
Thanks to our generous Creamline lottery players, we were able to run our Cream of the Community Fund initiative for a second year. From our independent suppliers to every house on our milk rounds, we always work to champion our local communities and that also includes the causes that matter to you.
Thank you so much to everyone who nominated their charities this year. We received over 200 responses, with nominations for 153 different local charities and good causes. Believe us when we say it wasn’t easy to choose just five!
Read on to learn more about this year’s charities and the incredible work they do!
Jackson's Animal Rescue
Across two sites in Wirral and North Wales, Jackson’s Animal Rescue looks after wildlife, farm and domestic animals in need.
Founder Steph Baines said: "We are constantly at capacity, with long waiting lists of animals to come into our care. Our biggest issue is always vet bills, and at the time of writing this we currently have a cat in the ICU at Leahurst Hospital, whose quote is around £4,000 to help her. On average, our vet bills can be around £10,000 per month just on routine work. Financial support from local businesses is incredibly helpful towards our work, and we are so very grateful!”
Changing Lives Together
Changing Lives Together runs a wide range of services across Cheshire, from community grocery shops to accessible travel schemes.
The donation will go towards their vital Buddy & Befriending service. This programme builds connections and fosters friendships between people struggling with loneliness or isolation. Whether it’s a chat over a cuppa, or a friendly phone call, a conversation through the Buddy & Befriending scheme can make a huge difference to someone’s wellbeing.
Two Brews
Two Brews is a Manchester-based charity supporting homeless people. They provide essentials and warm meals to anyone sleeping rough in the city, and many of the people they support often join them as volunteers once they’ve got back on their feet.
Amanda, who works at the charity, explained that “with being a not-for-profit charity, we rely on such donations”.
Chelwood Foodbank Plus
Chelwood Foodbank Plus is an independent, community-driven emergency service based in Stockport that has been supporting people in need since 2013. They provide food parcels, essential toiletries, and household goods to individuals and families.
“We are delighted to accept such a generous donation and please pass on our thanks to all your customers. This wonderful support will allow us to provide assistance and food parcels to the people in our community who need it most.”
Chester Women’s Aid
The work that Chester Women’s Aid do is two-fold: they support survivors of domestic abuse across Cheshire by providing emergency funds to local families, while also raising awareness in communities and workplaces.
Once again, we really can’t thank you enough for your support with the lottery over the years. As well as two years of the Cream of the Community Fund, we’ve been able to donate thousands of pounds to our principal charities Moya Cole Hospice (formerly St Ann’s Hospice) and Francis House Children’s Hospice, as well as many other local charities over the last 25 years.
