East Devon organisations have received big cash payouts from the Co-op supermarket’s community funding scheme.

Midweek Herald: Honiton Co-op big payout to Wynnie Cameron of honiton carers. Ref mhh 47 19TI 4851. Picture: Terry IfeHoniton Co-op big payout to Wynnie Cameron of honiton carers. Ref mhh 47 19TI 4851. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Seaton and District Hospital League of Friends received a total of £5,288.25 from both Seaton Co-op stores. The funding is specifically for their Seaton Hospiscare@Home service.

The Friends of Seaton Library (FoSL) collected a cheque for £3,835 while Honiton Carers Support Group received £2,115.70.

The carers' money funded a trip to Roadford Lake for 31 members and the balance will go towards their Christmas lunch at the Blue Ball Inn.

Honiton Carers was delighted to learn that it has been chosen as one of the Co-op's three causes to receive further funding during the next 12 months, this time to pay for the group's arts and crafts project, commencing in January.

Midweek Herald: Seaton’s Underfleet Way Co-op manager Mark Jackson presents a cheque to FoSL members (l/r) Peter Burrows, Alex Smith, Jan Canning, Steve Lewis, Elizabeth Parker and library member Ollie Smith. Picture: Seaton Co-OpSeaton’s Underfleet Way Co-op manager Mark Jackson presents a cheque to FoSL members (l/r) Peter Burrows, Alex Smith, Jan Canning, Steve Lewis, Elizabeth Parker and library member Ollie Smith. Picture: Seaton Co-Op (Image: Archant)

Winnie Cameron, carers' co co-ordinator, said they were 'immensely grateful' to the Co-op and all its customers who voted for them to receive money from the scheme.

On Saturday (November 23), representatives of FoSL were presented with a cheque for almost £4,000 raised by shoppers at the town's two Co-op stores at Harpeth Road and Underfleet Way.

The Friends' award will be spent on upgrading library equipment, and on supporting the newly formed, hugely popular, coding club.

FoSL chairman Elizabeth Parker said the group was keen to provide help for anyone, but especially more mature members, to get on-line and feel comfortable with it.

Midweek Herald: Deputy manager of Seaton’s Harepath Road Co-op James Gabb with FoSL committee members (l/r) Steve Lewis (secretary), Jan Canning (treasurer), Alex Smith (youth representative), Peter Burrows (social media), Elizabeth parker(chairman). Picture: Co-opDeputy manager of Seaton’s Harepath Road Co-op James Gabb with FoSL committee members (l/r) Steve Lewis (secretary), Jan Canning (treasurer), Alex Smith (youth representative), Peter Burrows (social media), Elizabeth parker(chairman). Picture: Co-op (Image: Archant)

FoSL will also be buying more books for children with dyslexia and providing a large 'squashy' settee for the library, somewhere to curl up comfortably and read some of the amazing books there.

The annual fee to become a member of FoSL is just £1, paid in April, and Mrs Parker said every penny raised goes to support Seaton Library.

The group is inviting people to learn more about what it does over a cup of mulled apple juice and a Christmas biscuit during the town's Festive Saturday, November 30, between 5pm and 6.30pm, in the Library, in Queen Street.

Seaton and District Hospital League of Friends manager Lycia Moore said: "The League is immensely grateful to the Co-op for choosing to help fund our end of life care service, a service for patients registered with a Beer, Colyton and Seaton Medical Practice who are in their last few weeks and months of life."

For more information on the Seaton Hospiscare@Home service or how to support this vital end-of-life service, contact League manager Lycia Moore on 01297 20143.

In total Seaton Co-op members, who pay £1 to join, have raised £12,056 for worthy causes this year.

Axe Vale Canoe Club also received £3,715 from the Co-op payourt.

For more information about Honiton Carers Support Group contact Winnie Cameron on winniekjaer@btinternet.com or telephone 07974 636926