SHOPPERS in Ingleton have helped raise almost £1,500 to enable people from disadvantaged backgrounds to enjoy the benefits of spending time in the Yorkshire Dales countryside.

The money has been raised by Co-op customers through the company's Local Community Fund.

When members shop at Co-op, one per cent of their spend on own-brand products and services goes to their chosen charity, together with money from shopping bag sales.

Ingleton Co-op members raised £1445.52 for local charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to support the life-changing People and the DALES project.

Leanne Fothergill, Co-op store manager at Three Peaks, Ingleton, said: “I am very proud to work with the Co-op supporting local charities and projects which carry out such fantastic work.”

Over the last 12 years more than 8,000 disadvantaged children and adults have joined YDMT to take part in the Yorkshire Dales activities, including nature discovery walks, farm and quarry visits, caving, conservation work and crafts.

Judy Rogers, community worker at YDMT, said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the shoppers and staff at the Co-op for this fantastic support. Through the project we help disadvantaged people to improve their physical health and mental well-being and gain new experiences, skills and confidence. We hope to inspire people to learn about the natural environment and to visit the Yorkshire Dales countryside under their own steam in the future.”