THE Grays-based Co-op teams and recipients of the food retailer's acclaimed Local Community Fund came together for a morning of celebration.

The Co-op Funeral premises on Hathaway Road played host to the handing over of money raised in the nearby Sockets Heath Co-op store which saw three deserving organisations collect more than £5,000.

And the event also unveiled the next recipients – with the borough-based Re-engage charity and the Get Started Art project being successful nominated. 

Every year Co-op stores select 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. 

Claire Mason, the Co-op's community-link 'Member Pioneer' took the lead at the celebration meeting on Thursday, 16 November when Aveley Village Community Forum received £1,714,28, Colourful Beginnings £1,684.09 and the locally-based Reach out for Mental Health charity £2,301.64 - a total of £5,700.01.

Also on hand to welcome guests were Rianna McGillivray, Emma Hubbard and Lynne Love from Co-op Funeral Care.

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