A CANCER rehabilitation charity has been chosen from nearly 2,000 applicants in the south west to be awarded a £2,000 grant from SPAR.

Stepping Out Bridport was awarded the funds as part of SPAR’s Community Cashback scheme.

The £2,000 will allow the group to help more members with recovery, during and after a cancer diagnosis.

Running since 2015, Stepping Out offers group exercise and well-being schemes, including yoga and dancing, which aim to improve strength, flexibility, balance, overall fitness and general well-being as well as being part of a supportive and friendly group.

SPAR launched the Community Cashback scheme for a second year in 2023 to provide funding to local charity organisations and give back to communities that need support the most. In total SPAR will have donated £100,000 across the UK on behalf of their shoppers.

As part of the campaign, SPAR commissioned a study of 2,000 adults across the UK to discover how people were giving back to their communities and found that over two thirds (69%) in the south west have helped out by volunteering with local charities, spending an average of eight hours supporting nearby organisations.

Richard Walsh from Stepping Out said: “Stepping Out is delivered free to all participants so without raising money and receiving grants like this one from SPAR it wouldn't be possible. The Community Cashback scheme is helping us deliver our programme this year and we are delighted.”

Nick Vivian, Head of Marketing at Appleby Westward, said: “We chose Stepping Out because they support a wide range of people suffering or recovering from cancer in the area. There was a clear demonstrable need for funding to enable the work they do in the community to continue.”

Suzanne Dover, Brand and Marketing Director at SPAR said: “We believe in nurturing our neighbourhoods and supporting the communities we serve, and this scheme is another way we are helping to do this, especially now when deserving local organisations need some extra financial support.”

Find out more about the community cashback scheme at the website https://www.spar.co.uk/community/community-cashback/