The power of shopping locally has been proven by the money given to community groups in Sandwich.

The Co-operative, in Moat Sole, handed out almost £15,000 split between Age Concern in Sandwich, Merry Go Round preschool and The Phoenix Centre.

The money was raised by the supermarket donating 1% of its sales from September to April back into the community.

Store manager Paul Harris said: “Hopefully this has shown our shoppers what their 1% has done.

“Simply by shopping locally and staying with us at the Co-op, they have contributed this to their community.

“Their money is going to make a difference locally and in their town.”

The supermarket has run the scheme nationwide dishing out a total of £9 million to 4,000 causes in its first round.

Mr Harris added: “We had a celebration in store for the groups to be able to talk about what they’re going to do with the money but also for them to meet the new causes that we’ve chosen. No other supermarket does what we do and that’s why I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Dan Friend from Age Concern said the cash will go towards day-to-day running costs.

He said: “We would like to express our gratitude to the Co-op and the people of Sandwich for their fundraising efforts. The staff at the shop consistently go above and beyond to become an essential, community focused partner in the town.”

The Phoenix Centre say the money raised will enable them to continue to open on Thursday evenings. It was also help fund photography and craft projects.

Merry Go Round manager Anna Gardner says the money has helped them purchase a log cabin which will be arriving in May.

She said: “We want to say a massive thank you to Co-op and its customers.

“This money has made a massive impact on us as setting and without the money we wouldn’t be able to fund the log cabin. We were so lucky to have this opportunity.”

The store has already chosen the three causes it will be supporting in the next round. They are Sandwich Scouts, School House Nursery and Woodnesborough Community Project.

Applications for the third round will be accepted later in the summer.

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