COMMUNITY groups across Darlington are set to be boosted by an estimated £12,500 in grants from the Co-op.

Staff at the Cockerton Co-op Funeralcare and food store held a membership launch event to mark the funding boost which will soon be on the cards for three community groups.

The charities that will benefit include Family Help Darlington CIO, Gay Advice Darlington and The Darlington Town Mission.

Co-op members can choose which of these charities they wish to support, and money will be raised over a six-month period.

The unique scheme will see Co-op members receive five per cent back on the cost of Co-op branded goods and services they buy with a further one per cent going to local causes.

Hayley Gilbert, administrator for Cockerton Funeralcare, said: “Connecting with the local community is something we feel passionately about, and our members have a unique opportunity to make a difference here, simply by using their Co-op card.

“Co-ops are here to support their members and the communities they live in, and the money raised will provide much-needed funding for hundreds of organisations across the UK, who contribute to improving local life.”

By 2018, the Co-op expects to be returning £100m UK-wide to its members and communities.

Co-op members are urged to look out for their new-look membership card.

The cards feature the Co-op’s iconic ‘clover-leaf’ design, linking to a time when people really understood how they could be co-owners of their Co-op, and how a strong Co-op could help to create strong communities.