CHRISTMAS has come early for a number of Bridport charities, thanks to a £31,000 funding boost from the Co-op.

The money will be shared by 15 organisations, all of whom are making a real difference to communities throughout the region.

These include Chideock Village Hall, 1st Beaminster Scout Group, and Market House and Tolls Charity.

This is the latest round of pay outs from the local community fund, and brings the amount the Co-op has invested in good causes in Bridport since the scheme launched in September 2016 to £59,000.

The Marine Theatre, Uplyme Village Hall and the Lyme Regis Development Trust have been announced as recipients of the Co-op Community Fund. In a ceremony on Saturday, November 25 in the Lyme Regis Co-op branch, each group received a cheque in the region of £800. 

Gabby Rabbitts, director of the Marine, was there in person to receive the cheque on behalf of the arts venue. 

She said: “I am so pleased that local Co-op members have chosen the Marine as their good cause; it’s gratifying for the theatre to have their active support.

"Donations such as this are helping the theatre to serve the community as a venue for music, comedy and theatre. We are currently raising money for new sound equipment so we are grateful for all gifts. Thank you to Co-op Members.”

Peter Gravell, manager of the Co-op in Lyme Regis, added: “What makes the Community Fund so special is that it gives to local causes within the community here in Lyme. We are pleased to support our great theatre, Uplyme Hall and the LRDT.”

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. 

When a member buys Co-op branded products from food stores or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare they earn a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to a local good cause of their choice. 

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. 

"Making a positive contribution and making great things happen locally has been at the heart of The Co-op’s purpose since 1844, and the local community fund is a good modern example of this. Along with our members, we’re proud to be making a difference to hundreds, if not thousands, of local lives.

“Since the scheme launched Co-op members have helped to raise an amazing £20 million for 8,000 local causes nationally, but we want to do more, so the more people shop, the more good causes can earn. 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.”