SEVERAL community groups in Bolton are set to receive a funding boost from the Co-op's Local Community Fund.

18 causes are set to benefit, including Bolton Urban Growers, St. Elizabeth's Church, and Bolton Toy Library, with each in line to receive several thousand pounds.

Co-op members receive a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to local causes when they buy own-brand products.

Members can decide how the money is allocated, and are encouraged to select the causes they wish to support online. Last year, 13 groups benefitted in Bolton, sharing £65,576.

Recent figures from the Charity Commission show that 40 per cent of all charities survive on an income of less than £10,000, meaning that funding of this kind will have a significant impact on the difference causes can make, in their community.

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community Engagement at the Co-op, said: “The more people shop, the more we share, and the more impact we can have in communities. People can get involved by becoming a member, swiping their card, and choosing the cause they want to support. By choosing their local cause, our members are telling us what really matters in their communities.

“Last year we invested £19 million in over 4,000 groups UK-wide, supporting a wide range of initiatives from village halls and community spaces to skills initiatives and neighbourhood watch schemes, all of which are helping to make communities across the UK safer, happier, and healthier places to live.”