SWIMMERS at Helmsley Open Air Pool are benefitting from new heaters thanks to funds raised through the Co-op’s membership scheme.

A donation of £1,700 was made to Helmsley Recreation Charity which runs the pool, by the Co-op.

When a Co-op member buys own-brand products from food stores or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare they earn a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to local good causes.

Carol Swift. one of the fundraisers for the Helmsley Recreation Charity, and said: “We’ve got some great facilities here, but the one thing we were really missing were some heaters – particularly after the poor summer we’re having. The two heaters bought using money raised by Co-op shoppers have made a real difference.”

Co-op stores in and around Helmsley are currently supporting a number of good causes, including The Parish Hall in Harome, Next Steps Mental Health Resource Centre, North Yorkshire Moors Association, Ryedale Carers Support, and Helmsley Recreation Charity for a second time.

Rufus Olins, Group Director Community and Campaigns at the Co-op, said: “The more people shop, the more we share and we’d really like to increase the amounts that we pay out. So the way communities can help to achieve this is to become a member and shop with the Co-op.”

The Co-op is in the process of looking for more good causes to benefit from the community fund: for more information visit causes.coop.co.ukis.