More than 20 charities and community groups are to share £96,000 in grants handed out by SPAR UK through its Community Cashback campaign, which is now in its fifth year.

A total of 23 groups and charities across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland will benefit from the scheme that sees the chain’s regional distribution centres handed grant funding for their local good causes.

Thousands applied for grants, according to the supermarket chain.

“There is nothing better than a community that comes together, and it's great to see how people across the UK care about their local communities,” said SPAR UK retail and brand development director Ian Taylor.

“SPAR is passionate about nurturing neighbourhoods and empowering people to make a positive difference to where they live.

“We had such a brilliant response to this year's Community Cashback campaign, rewarding a variety of local organisations and charities who help others, and we're delighted to see the difference this grant funding will make in communities right across the UK.”

AF Blakemore, the SPAR wholesaler for the Midlands, South England and Wales, awarded a combined £38,000 across five community organisations.

This includes grants of £10,000 to RNLI Margate lifeboat station in Kent and Penryn Rugby Football Club in Cornwall.

Claire Johnson from the RNLI said: “This grant will allow us to keep saving lives by supporting the rebuild of our lifeboat station and lifeguard facility.

“With so many people visiting Margate and the surrounding beaches, the lifeboat station continues to have a critical role and is an invaluable asset to the town.”

James Hall, the SPAR wholesaler for the North of England, awarded a combined £25,000 to nine local causes. The top grant of £10,000 went to Behind Closed Doors, a Leeds-based charity providing support to survivors of domestic abuse.

The charity’s chief executive Georgia Hyland said: “To an organisation of our size, this grant means a huge amount to every member of our small team.”

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