Nine good causes in the Borders grab a share of £18,000

The Co-op supermarket has awarded cash to the likes of the Melrose Scout Group, the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team and the Border Street Pastors, to help them continue their work.

The boost is part of the latest round of pay outs from the firm's local community fund, and brings the amount the Co-op has invested in the region to £45,000, since the scheme launched in September 2016.

The money is raised through the company's membership scheme.

When a member buys Co-op branded products from food stores or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare they earn a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to a local good cause of their choice.

Rufus Olins, director of community and campaigns at the Co-op, said: “It’s great to be delivering an early Christmas present to those communities and individuals that need it most.

"Making a positive contribution and making great things happen locally has been at the heart of the Co-op’s purpose since 1844, and the local community fund is a good modern example of this. Along with our members, we’re proud to be making a difference to hundreds, if not thousands, of local lives.

“Since the scheme launched Co-op members have helped to raise an amazing £20 million for 8,000 local causes nationally, but we want to do more, so the more people shop, the more good causes can earn.

"However, this is not just about giving money, it is about developing relationships with good causes in local communities, and over the past year we have been touched by hundreds of ways in which people have made their own communities better places to be."

Causes in the Borders which have received money in this round of pay outs include:
Borders Pet Rescue: £1,615.78
Borders Street Pastors: £3,269.54
Earlston 1st Rainbows: £1,206.40
Earlston baby and toddler group: £1,183.80
Lauder Play Club: £1,380.20
Scout camps: £3,220.63
Stow Kids Club: £1,211.92
Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team: £3,584.60
Zaagi: £1,226.95