A VARIETY of charity groups across Barrow have received a welcome funding boost to enable them to continue their vital work in the community.
A total of 13 organisations have been granted a share of £33,000 from the Co-op's longstanding and successful shop and share scheme.
Among those to have benefited include Self Harm Awareness for All, which provides therapy and counselling for children and teenagers suffering mental health disorders, and Mind in Furness, which offers help and support for adults struggling to maintain their own mental health.
The Birchall Trust, which supports rape and sexual abuse survivors in south Cumbria, is another to have been awarded a share of the cash.
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A spokesman from SAFA, based in Duke Street, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the donation from the Co-op.
"All the money is used to provide specialist help and support for young people in this area."
Each time a Co-op member buys own-brand products in a store, or pays for a Co-op funeral or funeral care plan, they receive a five per cent reward.
An additional one per cent is also set aside for local good causes.
This money is then dished out annually to charities in the area.
Rufus Olins, Co-op chief membership officer, said the £9m raised across the country this year was being shared between 4,000 charities and groups.
He added: “The Co-op has always been community focused.
"By listening to our members we are able to identify what communities care most about and then offer support that really makes a difference, and by working with and supporting local good causes great things are happening.
"All those one per cent rewards, plus the proceeds of the carrier bag charge in England, has resulted in the £33,000 pay out in Barrow. Nationally, 4,000 good causes are sharing a total pot of £9m."
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