Three charities in Ilkley are celebrating after walking away from the town’s Yorkshire Building Society with a generous donation.

The society’s branch, on Station Road, shared £1,000 between the charities after a public vote determined how the jackpot should be split during a fortnight voting period.

LS29 Group received £500, Ilkley Candlelighters received £300 and West Yorkshire Animals in Need received £200. The cash giveaway was part of the branch’s commitment to help local good causes where the Society’s colleagues and members live and work.

“The charities we chose provide invaluable support in our local community so we’re absolutely delighted to have been able to give them a cash boost with a share of £1,000,” said Lewis Wilkinson, manager of the Ilkley branch of Yorkshire Building Society.

“Because every vote helped secure pounds for the charities, it felt right that the decision of splitting the money was put in the hands of our members and local residents. I can’t thank people enough for coming in to the branch during the voting period to make their vote count – I’m sure the money will make a real difference locally.”

The donation came from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation, which is funded by the Society’s innovative Small Change, Big Difference scheme. This is where members donate just the pennies from the interest they receive on their Yorkshire accounts, which then creates a large amount of money that is shared between member-nominated causes.