CHARITIES and groups across the county have benefitted from a supermarket scheme that gives money to worthy groups.

Co-op’s Local Causes scheme has given tens of thousands to schools, sports clubs and youth groups in the lead up to Christmas.

One of the lucky recipients was Busy Kids pre-school in Bromham which was given £3,081.

Business manager Judi McKendrick said: “It’s incredible. Funding is so tight for us and we have been so busy this year.

“This amount of money means we can improve things instead of just covering costs. We are extremely grateful for the money, we really weren’t expecting to get that much.

“We’ve been able to use the money to double the size of our outdoor garden. We also converted a bit of woodland into an outdoor learning centre for the kids.

“It is unbelievably important to get the children outside and now we can get them all out everyday.”

Another group of children that will benefit from the funding is the members of Young Melksham which was given £3,354.

The group offers a range of events such as youth clubs four times a week at the Canberra Centre, on Spa Road.

Jon Hubbard, chairman of the group, said: “First of all I would like to give a large thank you to Melksham Co-op for the money.

“I cannot stress enough how important this money is to us. We rely on schemes like this to survive.

“The money has been earmarked as helping us to cover our core costs and keep delivering the services.

“It’s becoming increasingly challenging to get funding as local budgets are being cut and so on.”

The full list of causes helped is: Oldbury Wednesday Club, Calne, Shalbourne Primary School, Luckington School, Aldbourne Cricket Club, Lyneham Scout and Guide H.Q. Committee, Wiltshire Search and Rescue, Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership, 1st Corsham Guides, Chippenham Rugby Club, Calne Community Day Centre, Lea & Garsdon School, St Michael’s School, Aldbourne, Lyneham village hall, Pewsey Vale Rugby Club, Corsham Churches food bank, Chippenham Sea Cadets, Atwell-Wilson museum, Calne, John O’Gaunt School, Trowbridge, 1st Aldbourne Rainbows, Lyneham Primary School, Devizes Opendoors, Pewsey Vale School and 3rd Chippenham Scouts.