VOLUNTEERS from the Canute Lunch Club were delighted to receive a cheque for £2,708 from the Co-op in Knutsford on Saturday.

Club treasurer Yvonne Baker said: “We wish to say a big thank you to all those Co-op members who chose the club as their local good cause for the year.

“The monies received have enabled the club, this year, to fund a summer outing and a Christmas lunch for all the members.

“We will also be able to do the same next year. Our members are delighted.”

Canute Lunch Club provides lunches and the opportunity to socialise, every Tuesdays and Thursday, at Toft Cricket Club.

Transport is available for those members who need it. New volunteers are always welcome, and for more details call 01565 651204.

The club is one of two dozen local causes to receive an early Christmas present this week, when the Co-op revealed a £94,000 funding boost from its members.

The money will be shared by 24 organisations, including Cheshire Search and Rescue and Holmes Chapel Hurricanes.

This is the latest round of payouts from the local community fund, and brings the total Co-op members have invested in causes in Knutsford since the scheme launched in 2016 to almost £300,000.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community and shared value at the Co-op, said: “The local community fund is a well-established way of supporting local causes which help make communities safer, happier and healthier places to live, and we’re delighted to be able to support such a range of local groups as they help to improve wellbeing in Knutsford.

“By choosing their local cause online our members are telling us what really matters in their communities, and we have used this information to help us identify new groups to support throughout next year.

“Feedback from our own Community Wellbeing Index has shown us we should be focused on protecting and improving community spaces, helping people reach their potential by developing their skills and promoting health and well-being.”

When members shop with the Co-op one per cent of what they spend on selected Co-op branded products and services goes to support local causes through the Local Community Fund.

By joining the Co-op’s membership scheme shoppers can contribute to the money raised for the causes, and can choose which of these causes they wish to support by logging onto the Co-op’s membership website at coop.co.uk/membership