Weymouth and Portland community groups get cash from the Co-Op

Donations amounting to £4,500 three local community groups to continue their good work in Weymouth and Portland.

Strangways Village Hall received £2,000 to build a storage unit, Revive Portland was awarded £1,900 to improve an area of Underhill, and Abbotsbury Playground Group scooped £840 to help with maintenance of the playground.

The Community Fund is created by members of The Co-operative Group who elect to donate all, or part, of their twice-yearly dividend payments directly to the scheme. The funds are then shared with local community projects and groups, such as these groups, across the country.

Yvonne Beven, from Revive Portland, said: "We are very grateful to The Co-operative for this award, which will make a huge difference to our group and it will help us create a much enhanced area of Underhill for everyone to enjoy."  

Paul Kimber, chair of The Co-operative's Wiltshire and Dorset Area Committee, said: "Because our members own the business, they get a share in any of the profits we make. It's a scheme we're very proud of, not only because it gives us the chance to thank members for shopping with us, but because so many people choose to give something back to local communities."