THREE charities have benefited from a bumper payout, courtesy of a Co-op membership scheme.

Shoppers in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire have generated around £30,000 since the initiative was launched in September last year.

And the latest worthy causes which are quids in as a result are the Reaching Older Adults in Renfrewshire (ROAR) group, the Neilston Development Trust (NDT) and the Neilston and Uplawmoor First Responders.

The scheme sees Co-op members earning a five per cent reward when they buy own-brand products or funeral plans, with a further one per cent going to good causes.

Paisley-based ROAR has been awarded more than £3,000 to help reduce loneliness amongst the older generation by offering elderly men and women “a varied menu of social opportunities”.

Maureen McPherson, office manager at ROAR, said: “The cash will enable the charity to set up activities for members which otherwise would have been outwith their budget.

“Thanks to the funding from the Co-op, we have been able to begin organising a spring fling party for our members in Paisley Town Hall.

“The money will go towards hiring a band, as well as providing food and drinks, with the remaining money put toward a number of non-commission services we run, such as morning exercise classes.”

Staff at NDT have been handed almost £3,000 to help create a sustainable future for the village.

And the Neilston and Uplawmoor First Responders have received a £3,000 payout to help meet the costs of buying and maintaining medical equipment.

Established in July 2013, the organisation has responded to more than 700 emergency call-outs across East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire and East Ayrshire in the last two years.

Andy Baxter, manager at the new Co-op store in Barrhead, said: “The company has brought the various Co-op divisions together in a quest to re-establish itself as a community business and, in turn, to assist many good causes within the community. Hopefully, this is the first of many presentations.”