A DOLGELLAU supermarket has presented a share of almost £11,000 to three local good causes.

Staff at the Co-op enjoyed spending some time handing out giant cheques to Dolgellau Rugby Club, Bontddu Village Hall and the Farming Community Network.

The rugby club received £3872.28, the hall got £3365.32 and the farming network £3614.12 from the Co-op Local Community Fund.

Over the last 12 months customers have raised the funds by swiping their blue Co-op cards; the fruits of their labour have been gratefully received by the groups.

Dolgellau Rugby Club will use the funds to cover their ongoing costs and help the junior players with much-needed, new equipment.

Bontddu village Hall arrived expecting to receive £600 and were amazed to see that customers had actually raised over £3000! They are looking forward to buying some new instruments; their music class is currently having to make do with a drum with only one stick and a keyboard with sticky keys.

The third cheque was presented to the farming community network who provide practical and emotional support to local farmers and their families.

They are keen to use the money to increase the number of people they can support. Support can be gained by contacting their helpline: 03000 111 999.

Every time co-op members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, Co-op give local causes a helping hand.

Each year, members vote for one of three good causes they would like the money to go to. Members can also donate their own member rewards to the projects.

Dolgellau Co-op is now raising funds for three new causes; Mini Dragons Biking Group, Ysgol Bro Idris and Dolgellau Guides and Brownies.

Three Machynlleth community organisations have received a share of £15,000 from the scheme.

Machynlleth Community Children’s Project received a cheque for more than £5,000, which will enable them to put on a range of sensory and practical workshops for young children.

Cylch Meithrin Machynlleth, which provides early years education, received a cheque for nearly £5,000. This grant will provide more opportunities for healthy outdoor nursery activities.

Machynlleth Hurricanes, a junior football team, also received nearly £5,000, to be used to make free football training sessions available to as many girls, boys and adults as possible.

As the Co-op celebrates raising £100 million for local communities, causes and charity partners over the last five years – data shows that community support is needed more than ever, with more than million Co-op members selecting a cause in a single round of its Local Community Fund – the highest numbers since its launch in 2016.

Customers can help raise the funds by simply swiping their Co-op card when they shop. Co-op.

Cards and more details can be found at www.coop.co.uk/membership.