From new defibrilators to counselling, there are many different ways in which donations by the Manx Co-operative is bringing real benefit to local causes.

Donations came from the store’s community fund (made up of 1% of purchases on own-brand products by Co-op members) and this year amounted to £87,000 which was split between 12 local charities.

Members can also decide where the funds go.

Since the fund was established in January 2017, £140,000 has been donated to a range of different community causes.

This year the beneficiaries were: Isle of Man Swimming Development Squad, Without Wings - The Manx Autoimmune Arthritis Trust, Peel Centenary Centre, Ramsey Cottage Hospital League of Friends, Southern Befrienders, 1st Laxey Scout Group, 440 (1st Manx) Mini Bus Fund, Southern Aquatics Swimming for the Disabled, Queen Elizabeth II High School, Men in Sheds Port Erin, Onchan Sillver Band and 3rd Peel Scout Group.

Area manager Andrew Corrie said: ’It is really humbling to hear the stories (about how funds will be used) especially as they are all small, hard working charities that struggle for funding and don’t get the donations that the big guys get so the amounts mean a lot to them.’

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community engagement at the Co-op, said: ’Since the launch of the local community fund our members have helped 12,000 organisations to make a positive difference in their neighbourhoods, and in the last 12 months alone we have invested £19m in local causes.

’The fund is now supporting a wide variety of local organisations, from village halls and support groups to education providers and neighbourhood watch schemes, all of which are helping to make the island a better, happier, and healthier place to live.’

The Co-op has 4.65 million active members, including tens of thousands in the island and more than one million have already chosen which local group they want to support through the online Co-op membership portal.