GOOD causes received an early Christmas present with thousands of pounds of funding from the Co-op in Ilkley.

Ilkley Preschool received £5,011, Addingham Cricket Club was given £5,345 and Wharfedale Scouts Sailing Centre received £4,898 from the Co-op’s funeral and foodstore branches in the town.

When members shop with the Co-op, 1 per cent of what they spend on selected products and services goes to support good causes.

Nationally, nearly 4,500 groups are sharing over £17 million, bringing the total value of the fund since its launch to over £56 million.

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Shared Value said: “The local community fund is now a well-established way of supporting local causes who help to make communities safer, happier, and healthier places to live, and we’re delighted to be able to support such a wide range of local groups as they help to improve wellbeing in Ilkley.”