THOUSANDS of pounds were handed out to good causes in Corsham after a year of donations by Co-op members.

Corsham Guides, Corsham Churches Food Bank and Sea Squad Explorer Scout Section were all given cheques for more than £4,000 during a special celebration staged by the Castle Combe store.

The money was raised by customers using their members’ cards which gives one percent of each transaction towards chosen causes for the year.

Store manager Robbie Philips said: “This past week we celebrated as a business giving away £17 million pounds to our local causes across the business. In Corsham alone including the petrol station our three causes benefited between them by almost £15 thousand.

“We were really pleased with the funds. Once they realised how much it was they were surprised as they didn’t know until we gave them with the money. 

The guides are going to buy new furniture, the church food bank is going to issue fuel vouchers to provide heat, lighting and cooking during the winter. The scouts are going to buy specialist equipment for their expeditions. 

“I went out to meet each cause to tell them how much they had received. It was another successful year and a great sum to each of the groups who benefit a lot from it.

Each cause applied to the co-op scheme with a criteria they had to meet to be selected to receive the donation.

“Schools these days have to try and raise funds in an ever cutting environment, so it can make that bit of difference. 

“We have really been pushing for members as people really benefit from that one percent so its really great.”