By Colin Smeeton
Three island organisations are celebrating after receiving a share of more than £30,000 from the Co-op local causes fund.
The fund is made up of a 2p donation from every pound spent on selected Co-op products at any of Arran’s three Co-ops.
Co-op customers can select whom their contribution goes to and this year Arran Animal Rescue and Sanctuary received £10,622.51, Arran Youth Foundations received £11,156.70 and Feis Arainn received £9,609.47 – a total of £31,388.68.
Diane Lewis of Arran Animal Rescue and Sanctuary thanked the Co-op and all of the members for the contribution to the charity. The money will be used to help create a space for animal welfare education, pathways in the sanctuary and for the feeding and welfare of the animals.
Feis Arainn will use their donation to towards tutors, rehearsals, performances, equipment, travel expenses and to support the Arran Trad Band ensemble.
Arran Youth Foundations will use the money to expand the great variety of activities and events held at the youth cabins behind Arran High School in Lamlash, which are open every day of the week.
As a way of thanking the Co-op and the community for their support the Trad Band performed at the cheque handover ceremony at the Brodick Co-op. They also performed at Arran Active in Brodick, at the COAST Discovery Centre in Lamlash and at Lagg Distillery.
Brodick Co-op manager, Niall Hackett said: ‘A big thank you to all the Co-op members on Arran who are raising 2p for every £1 they spend on our own-brand products just by shopping with us in-store or online. Co-op members can select which local cause they wish to support by visiting the Co-op website or the Co-op smartphone app’.
The new charities selected for this year’s local causes fund are Arran Repair Cafe and Whiting Bay and Kildonan Church warm room.
Brodick Co-op manager, Niall Hackett and Lamlash Co-op manager, Helen McSkimming present a cheque to Diane Lewis and volunteers at Arran Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. 01_B47coopfund01_23_animal_sanctuary
Alistair Paul and Gillian Frame of Feis Arainn are presented with a cheque by the two Co-op managers. 01_B47coopfund02_23_Feis_Arainn
Brodick Co-op manager, Niall Hackett and Lamlash Co-op manager, Helen McSkimming with a cheque for £31,388.68 which was raised by Co-op members and the Co-op. 01_B47coopfund03_23_total_fund
The local causes fund is made up of contributions from all three Arran stores. 01_B47coopfund04_23_three_stores
Niall Hackett and off-duty staff member, Donna Mcintyre share a laugh. 01_B47coopfund05_23_Donna
The Arran Trad Band perform for customers at the Brodick Co-op. 01_B47coopfund06_23_Trad_Band
The Feis Arainn Trad Band performed at a number of locations around the island to say thank you for the support. 01_B47coopfund07_23_Feis_music
Arran Animal Rescue and Sanctuary share their grateful thanks with Co-op staff after the presentation. 01_B47coopfund08_23_presentation_chat
Store managers Niall Hackett and Helen McSkimming thanked all of the Co-op members for making the generous donations possible. 01_B47coopfund09_23_store_managers