SCOUTS and Guides across town are benefitting from a funding boost after Co-op members generated more than £2 million in less than two years.

Since the Co-op’s local community fund was launched in September 2016, 900 Scout troops and Cub Scout packs and nearly 400 Guide, Brownie and Rainbow units in the UK have received a total of £2,100,000, nine of which are in Warrington.

These include Girlguiding Culcheth District, 25th Warrington East Scout Troop, and St John's Brownies.

Co-op members, who receive a five per cent reward for themselves and a further one per cent going to local causes when they buy own-brand products, have a say in how the money is allocated and are encouraged to select the organisations they wish to support online.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community engagement at the Co-op, said: “Our members are passionate about supporting young people and it is the sector which we have backed more than any other.

“Like the Scouting and Guiding movements, we are driven by co-operative values and principles, helping to bring young people together to support their local communities.

"Indeed, research by the Scouts themselves shows that young people involved with the movement are a third more likely to take an active role and to help out in their local communities, which is precisely the focus of our local community fund.”

Matt Hyde, chief executive of The Scout Association, said: “We are delighted to see evidence of such strong support and investment from the Co-op and its members.

"This ongoing commitment allows us to continue our vital work in supporting young people and particularly key provision in areas of deprivation and underrepresented communities.

"We very much hope that we can count on this valuable contribution in the future so that our important investment can continue and young people always benefit from Scouting.”