GOOD causes in Ryedale have been given a boost by customers of the Co-operative Stores.

Among the awards given out under the Co-op’s local community fund in Helmsley was one to the Helmsley Sport and Social Club’s open air swimming pool appeal, which was given £2,040.27, and the Harome Parish Hall, which received £1,917.73.

Carol Swift, of the Helmsley Open Air Pool fund, said: “The money

was raised by Co-op customers through spending on Co-op products and through the plastic bag

charge.”

She added that the funding was needed in response to the large demand for the pool in the summer months.

“We had 7,000 people in there in a 12-week period,” she said. “I’d like to thank all the customer of the Co-op group for their generous spirit.”

The Pickering Co-op store also handed out awards to local causes. These included Ryedale Special Families, which received £3,608.57, Musical Connections, which received £3,359.72 and the Pickering Pre-school Playgroup (Hallgarth), which got £3,386.59.

At the Kirkbymoorside store, £2,160.42 went to Next Steps mental health provision in Ryedale, £2,203.2 went to Ryedale Carers, and the North York Moors Association received £2,131.94.