Co-op, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) have collaborated again to launch a second burst of their ‘Meals that Matter’ national fundraising and awareness campaign, inviting customers to support inclusive sports by purchasing participating Co-op meal deals in stores or online.
Running now until the 9th December across Co-op stores and online, the Meals That Matter campaign returns with two meal deals available for a limited time, featuring images of five inspirational Special Olympics GB athletes, with intellectual disabilities, who have changed their lives through the charity’s sporting programmes.
The first money-saving, curry meal deal enables customers to purchase any two Co-op curry mains, two Co-op Indian-style sides, and 4x330ml Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or Diet Coke cans, with 25p from every meal deal donated to Special Olympics GB. Subject to availability.
Following the curry meal deal, Co-op customers can continue to support Special Olympics GB through a dine-in meal deal, running from 19th November to the 9th December, extending the impact of Meals that Matter into the festive season.
This phase of Meals that Matter builds on the success of an initial burst earlier this year, where £32,000 was raised for Special Olympics GB, via a similar shopper offer, and drove a 63% increase in athlete sign-ups, demonstrating the campaign’s impact beyond fundraising.
Championing the campaign are Special Olympics GB athlete ambassadors: Alex Rae, Bleddyn Gibbs, Stephanie Gott, Katie Day and Lloyd Martin, whose personal stories highlight the campaign’s core message: everyone wins when you choose to include.
Stephanie Gott, a medal-winning Special Olympics GB figure skater from Runcorn in Cheshire, said:
“Being part of Special Olympics GB has given me confidence I never thought I’d have. I was bullied at school for being different, but when I found skating, everything changed – I feel free on the ice.
“Seeing this campaign grow and come back for a second time means so much to me, because it shows people really do care about inclusion. I’m proud to be part of it with Co-op and CCEP, and I hope even more people get involved this time so others with intellectual disabilities can have the same opportunities I’ve had.”
Rebecca Oliver Mooney, Director of Commercial at Co-op said: “Co-operation is at the heart of everything we do at Co-op, and we’re proud to once again join forces with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Special Olympics GB for the Meals that Matter campaign. This initiative not only champions inclusivity but also helps raise essential funds to support communities.”
Holly Firmin, Senior Community Partnerships Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said: “When we came together with Co-op and Special Olympics GB to create Meals That Matter, we knew we had an opportunity to do something that genuinely makes a difference – not just through fundraising, but by championing inclusion in a way that’s visible and meaningful. Special Olympics GB transforms lives through sport, and we’re incredibly proud to play a role in that. Meals that Matter shows what becomes possible when businesses use their platforms to drive real change.”
The campaign continues to feature Makaton symbols – making Meals That Matter one of the first major UK retail campaigns to incorporate this inclusive communication programme in-store. Makaton uses speech, signs and symbols to support understanding and expression, helping people with communication difficulties connect with others and participate more fully in everyday life.
The campaign will be visible throughout participating stores, with animated digital screens, front-of-store displays, shelf talkers, branded floor stickers and more – all featuring SOGB athletes alongside the campaign’s powerful inclusion message. A dedicated online hub and Co-op Members email campaign will further amplify engagement and reach.
As a registered charity (800329 and SC052090), Special Olympics GB supports over 12,666 athletes across 27 sports. Its community of 5,940 volunteers provides a safe, supportive environment that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to thrive through the power of sport in grassroots clubs.
Coca-Cola has been a founding partner and global sponsor of Special Olympics since its inception, extending this commitment to Special Olympics GB from the moment the movement launched in Great Britain in 1978. Today, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners proudly continues this legacy through its long-standing partnership with Special Olympics GB, championing inclusion both on and off the field through volunteering and the funding of Unified Sports events and Unified Business projects.
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