WE ARE delighted the Friends of the 597 have been chosen to benefit from the Co-op's Local Community Fund.

At a time when funds for community groups and charitable organisations are becoming more difficult to access, we're incredibly grateful for this opportunity to make a real difference in Windermere.

We are raising funds to continue our mission - begun in 2015 when it was threatened with closure - to sustain the 597 bus service which operates a circular route from Windermere railway station through Bowness and calling at the health centre six times daily on three mornings per week. It is a hail-and-ride service and NoW concessionary cards are valid.

To help us raise vital funds, we'll be relying on Co-op members. When a member buys selected products or services from the Co-op they earn a five per cent reward for themselves, with a further one per cent for local causes like ours.

Co-op members can choose a cause at www.coop.co.uk/membership and we really hope people will visit the website and choose to support us.

If you're not a member and would like to support us, you can join at your local store or online at www.coop.co.uk

When a community comes together, we're able to achieve great things.

Allan Sykes

Secretary, Friends of the 597

Windermere