CHESHIRE OAKS Designer Outlet has chosen an Ellesmere Port cause will benefit from a year of fundraising.

The retail park has picked Cheshire Community Foundation to help manage its charitable giving.

The partnership will commence with a host of fundraising activities planned for Christmas and a rolling programme of exciting opportunities in the forthcoming year.

Ellesmere Port charity Passion for Learning has been selected by a committee of ‘Charity Champions’ to benefit from the first year’s fundraising efforts.

The charity helps disadvantaged children to fall in love with learning, opening up a host of opportunities and life choices that would have otherwise been closed to them.

The retail park had planned to donate the funds from a movie drive-in night at its Christmas tree lights switch-on event on November 11, but that event has had to be postponed due to the coronavirus lockdown.

However, the retail park has revealed how it will still be able to support the charity.

A spokesperson said: "Following the Government’s announcement regarding a national lockdown across England, we can advise that non-essential retail stores at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be closed from Wednesday, November 4.

"With this in mind, all festive activity will be postponed until the centre reopens.

"We can confirm that our charity partnership with Cheshire Community Foundation is ongoing.

"On re-opening, our firework budget, proceeds from the drive-in cinema and in-centre contributions will be donated to Passion For Learning as planned."

In-centre contributions will include all donations made by the public at the Cheshire Oaks Christmas tree.

With over 2,500 people employed on site, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet recognises the importance of supporting the local communities in which their team and visitors live and work.

Kenny Murray, general manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet said: “Our local community is at the heart of everything we do, particularly at this difficult time.

"We trust CCF’s unique knowledge of the local charitable landscape to maximise the impact of our giving and to help us expertly distribute the funds to help those most in need.”

Cheshire Community Foundation connects people and companies who would like to make a difference with those most in need of help, by raising funds to support hundreds of amazing small charities and voluntary groups across the whole of Cheshire and Warrington.

As expert grant-makers, they ensure that money donated reaches right to the heart of the local communities that need it the most, tackling poverty, disadvantage and inequality and helping to build stronger, happier and more resilient communities.

Since its launch in 2012, the charity has given away over £7 million, with over 1,000 grants awarded.

Zoe Sheppard, CEO of CCF, said: “The whole world is struggling with the effects of this crisis, so it is vital that every penny is spent wisely.

"We do all the due diligence and measure and report on the outcomes, so that every team member and visitor to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet who fundraises or donates can see the difference their giving has made.”