GOOD causes in East Thurrock have the opportunity to submit applications to become a community group supported by shoppers.

Through its stores on the High Street, Stanford-le-Hope and Gardner's Avenue, Corringham, the Co-op supports projects that help make communities fairer for everyone.

There's still time for local groups to apply to be one of three chosen organisations - but hurry, the deadline closes in a few days.

Check out our nominations launch story.

You can apply if you're a not-for profit group, wanting to fund a specific project that benefits your local community.

If your funding application is successful, the Co-op works with you for 12 months. The more Co-op members that shop with Co-op and choose to support your project, the more funding it will receive.

The Co-op uses its branches across the country to help connect with people and projects in the area. The Co-op Local Community Fund was created to help provide support and funding to local causes.  

When you buy selected Co-op products and services, 2p for every £1 you spend goes into your Co-op Membership account. The Co-op will also give the same amount to support community organisations and local causes. 

Since 2016 Co-op members have helped raise £117 million which has been used to support around 7 million people across the UK. 

The Co-op is now calling community groups to apply for the next round of the Local Community Fund support, with applications in the Stanford and Corringham area still accepted.

They will be looking to support projects that:

• Bring people together to access food
• Help improve people's mental wellbeing
• Create opportunities for young people to be heard and make a difference
• Enable people to save and restore nature or tackle climate change

If you wish to make a submission for from the Stanford and Corringham area send a message to Co-op member Pioneer Claire Mason. She can be contacted by email at [email protected].

You can find more information and apply for the Co-op Local Community Fund here: Co-op (coop.co.uk)

The deadline for applications is midnight on 25 June.

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

You can find details of previous Local Community Fund payouts via the Co-op noticeboard section of Thurrock Nub News.