Community groups in Worcester are celebrating receiving funding support from Co-op members.

Co-op’s Local Community Fund gifts have totaled nearly £96,000, shared amongst 32 groups in the area.

Among the beneficiaries are Disability Sport Worcestershire, which received £3,914.68, Worcestershire Parents and Carers' Community with £2,197.59, and Worcester Snoezelen, which received £2,670.43.

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The fund benefits community causes and projects that promote the company's values, which includes efforts to improve access to food, enhancing mental wellbeing, creating opportunities for young people, and tackling climate change.

The funds were raised by members simply swiping or scanning their membership cards when buying own-brand products.

The funding increase comes as over 80 per cent of 3,000 UK community causes report increased demand for their services amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Members and customers can support community causes further this Christmas, as Co-op will spread the festive cheer by matching donations given through the member rewards balance on its app, and at all 2,400 stores around the UK.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community and member participation at Co-op, said: "We’re really proud of our Local Community Fund and the impact it’s had supporting thousands of local causes across the UK.

"These groups deliver incredible grassroot projects, enabling them to provide important services, support and activities for their diverse communities."

The Co-op, one of the largest consumer-owned co-operatives worldwide, boasts benefits like member-only pricing and personalised offers via the Co-op Membership app.

The organisation aims to attract one million active members in the next five years.

In August, the organisation announced its largest single investment in pricing of £70 million, as it expanded its "member-only" pricing across daily essentials.

Co-op launched the price investment with a list of almost 200 fixed prices, including milk, eggs and bread.

Membership benefits and exclusive offers can be found at www.coop.co.uk/membership.