SHOPPERS at Co-op stores across Northwich and Winsford have helped to raise thousands for charities across mid Cheshire.

More than £15,000 has been raised through the Co-op membership scheme, which sees one per cent of the cost of home-brand products go towards organisations looking to make a difference in the two towns.

A total of £15,329.81 has been shared among 13 groups which work in Northwich and Winsford, including £1,665.36 to the Central Cheshire Buddy Scheme, £1,594.14 to Girlguiding Cheshire Forest, and £1,335.45 to Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust.

Another of the big winners was Changing Lives in Cheshire, based in Winsford Industrial Estate, which received £1,286.83 for its Creative Concepts project.

"The idea is to help people who are lacking confidence and self-esteem," said Gary Cliffe, chief executive and co-founder of Changing Lives in Cheshire.

"We provide opportunities to recycle the furniture we collect that nobody wants, and turn it into something people do want.

"We provide opportunities for people to come into our workshop, build up their confidence and find new friends."

The funds handed to Changing Lives in Cheshire will go towards the cost of materials, paint and accessories.

According to the latest figures from the Charities Commission just under 40 per cent of all charities have an income of less than £10,000, meaning the Co-op's funding boost will make a big difference.

Rufus Olins, director of community and campaigns at the Co-op, said: "It’s great to be delivering an early Christmas present to those communities and individuals that need it most. Along with our members, we’re proud to be making a difference to hundreds, if not thousands, of local lives.

"However, this is not just about giving money, it is about developing relationships with good causes in local communities, and over the past year we have been touched by hundreds of ways in which people have made their own communities better places to be."

Other groups which have received funding from the scheme are First Lostock Scout Group, Second Barnton Rainbows, Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School, Lostock Gralam Church, Northwich Cricket Club, Multisports, Northwich Friendship Cafe, Fully Accessible Allotments and Winnington Avenue Youth Club.