Members of staff at the Co-op in Ross-on-Wye handed out cheques to local charities on Saturday, November 24th. The money given to the charities came from a community fund that Co-op use to help local groups and organisations in the communities. The Co-op local community fund gives money to local organisations to fund projects that help to bring people together and make a difference. It was raised in the store and came from the sales of carrier bags and customers swiping their membership cards instore.

Jason Edwards, Store Manager, told the Ross Gazette: “We invited local groups via social media to apply for this fund and the charities that applied were successful. There were five in total.”

One of the charities that was not present to receive a cheque are having stock provided for a Christmas buffet they are having.

Wyeplay, one of the charities that received some money, provide play assistant led and age appropriate soft play, singing, music and story time for under 5s in and around Ross-on-Wye. Money was also given to In Their Shoes, which was created to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and their families in areas of Herefordshire. The Ross Children’s Projects and Merry Millers also receieved cheques. The objective of Ross Children’s Projects is to provide support through partners and projects to the children aged up to 11-years-old and their families in and around Ross-on-Wye, to offer fun and engaging activities to encourage children and their families to be happy, healthy and enjoy opportunities to make the most of their lives. The Merry Millers are one of the largest farmer-orientated charity fundraisers in Herefordshire, with support from farmers, auctioneers and farm suppliers.

Presenting the cheques along with Jason were Erin O Mahoney, Area Manager, Mary Hammond, Area Trainer, Fay Boden, Co-op membership.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.