SHOPPERS at the Co-op in Gardners Avenue, Corringham, have raised almost £5,000 for local causes supported by the store.

Every year Co-op stores select three charities that customers can choose to help through the Co-op Local Community Fund.  

When Co-op members buy selected Co-op products and services, 2p for every £1 spent goes into their Co-op Membership account from which they nominate one of the chosen charities. The Co-op will also give the same amount to support community organisations and local causes. 

Since 2016 Co-op members have helped raise more than £117 million which has been used to directly support around seven million people across the UK. 

The nominated charities this year at Gardener's Avenue were Katie's Heart Appeal that received £2,282, the PTA of East Tilbury School gained £1,248.55 and Thurrock Christian Fellowship, which supports the Corringham-based Thurrock Foodbank, was awarded £1,463.83.

Co-op Membership helps support Co-op's national charity partners and Local Community Fund causes. See www.coop.co.uk/membership.