Three Bridport groups and organisations have benefited from thousands of pounds raised by Co-op Members.

Bridport Leisure Centre, ASCape and Stepping Out were chosen as Bridport Co-op's local causes for 2021.

Each year Co-op stores ask local people to nominate deserving community causes to benefit from its Local Community Fund. Every time Co-op Members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes into their Co-op Membership account and Co-op gives the same to support community organisations and local causes.

ASCape, a support group for young people and the parents of children who struggle with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and social anxiety, received £2,983.98.

Karen Wright, co-lead for ASCape, said: "We would like to extend huge thanks to Co-op members and customers. The money has enabled us to continue to support children and teenagers on the autistic spectrum and with social anxiety and their families, through a very challenging year.

"It has helped us offer activities and adventure, especially at Hooke Court and other local centres such as Treetops and Sharandys Birds of Prey and extended our provision to under sevens. Parents and carers have enjoyed walking, swimming and eating cake."

Stepping Out received £2,801.35 which helps the cancer rehabilitation group be cost free for all those with a cancer diagnosis and their partner or carer to attend.

Stepping Out encourages people who are recovering from cancer or who have cancer to exercise at Bridport Leisure Centre.

A spokesman for Stepping Out said: "It was wonderful to feel that local people got behind us and used their Co-op Membership card and chose us as their local cause to help out.

"It has helped to publicise Stepping Out and to let people know we are there to help them with an exercise programme tailored to help people who have or who have had cancer."

Bridport Leisure Centre received a total of £3,136.66.

Centre manager Will Thrower said: "We are extremely grateful to all the Co-op Members that chose our community centre as their local cause.

"The funds have gone towards the refurbishment of the fitness suite and in particular the creation of a dedicated stretching/consultancy space."

To find out more about local causes and becoming a Co-op Member, visit coop.co.uk

To select your local cause visit www.coop.co.uk/local-causes or go to the Co-op App.

Co-op Members help thousands of grassroots community projects through the Local Community Fund by selecting a cause to support. Since 2016 Co-op Members have raised more than £85m for over 25,000 projects.

Supporting these local causes aligns with the Co-op's mission of fairer access to food, mental wellbeing and opportunities for young people.

Co-op Membership helps support Co-op's national charity partners and Local Community Fund causes. See www.coop.co.uk/membership