COMMUNITY groups in the Borders are set to receive a funding boost after the Co-op welcomed the latest beneficiaries to its Local Community Fund.

A total of 15 causes in the area are in line to receive several thousand pounds at the end of the year.

Earlston Community Action Plan, Gordon Under 5s Toddler Group, Earlston Thursday Club, Innerleithen Scout Group, St Ronans Bowling Club, Innerleithen Pipe Band Hall, Blainslie Under 5s, Lauder Play Club, Lauder Community Shed, Selkirk Scout Group, Selkirk Junior Football Club, Selkirk Canoe Club, Interest Link Borders, Blood Bikes Scotland - Borders Service and Galashiels Mens Shed are all in line for community cash.

Last year, 14 groups in the Borders shared £50,000.

Co-op members, receive a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to local causes when they buy own-brand products. Members can decide how the money is allocated, and are encouraged to select the causes they wish to support online.

Recent figures from the Charity Commission show that 40 per cent of all charities survive on an income of less than £10,000, meaning that the funding raised by Co-op members will have a significant impact on the difference causes can make in their community.

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community Engagement at the Co-op, said: “The more people shop, the more we share, and the more impact we can have in communities. People can get involved by becoming a member, swiping their card, and choosing the cause they want to support. By choosing their local cause, our members are telling us what really matters in their communities.

“Last year we invested £19 million in over 4,000 groups UK-wide, supporting a wide range of initiatives from village halls and community spaces to skills initiatives and neighbourhood watch schemes, all of which are helping to make communities across the UK safer, happier, and healthier places to live.”