DELAWARE Pre-school, Tamar Valley Scouts and Bere Alston United Church have all benefited from a share of £9,000 raised by Co-op customers at the Drakewalls store.

The three groups were chosen to receive a share of the money raised through the Co-op Membership Scheme which gives 2p of every pound spent on own brand products to local causes.

The pre-school will be using its £3,182 for new equipment and resources including multi cultural rugs and dolls, den building equipment, a sensory tent and oral hygiene resources among other things.

Thanks to funding of £3,000 Bere Alston United Church will continue providing good quality food and activities for children and families during the school holidays.

The 1st Tamar Valley Scout Group will use its cash of £3,164 to buy more resources to enable it to challenge and develop the skills of young people within the community.

Manager of Delaware Pre-school Holly Anderson-Stacey said the educational facility, which catered for nearly 100 children, was charity run and relied on generous donations like this to be able to provide activities and updated resources for the children.

Co-op also donates bakery stock and fruit and veg which it is no longer allowed to sell to the pre-school every day.

Holly, who runs the pre-school with her partner Rachel, said: ‘It saves us a fortune and we are very grateful to Co-op for all its support.’

Manager of Co-op at Drakewalls Barbara Worth said: ‘We are delighted to help and it makes us all quite proud to think we are helping local charities in this way.’

Store staff have also raised an extra £5,000 from holding their own events for local good causes.

Co-op nationwide has raised £100-million for charity through its Co-op Membership Scheme this year.

For more Co-op handouts in Okehampton and Yelverton see pages 34 and 42.