The lack of funding for schools is an issue that frequently makes the headlines, with schools forced to raise money themselves to cover the shortfall from the Government.

Evercreech Primary School is no exception, but it has been fortunate to receive support from their local Co-op store, and has twice been selected as a Co-op Local Cause.

"It has been great to receive so much support from the Co-op," said Jenn Talbot, chair of the schools Association of Parents and Teachers (APT). "Especially when fundraising has been so difficult because of Covid."

When the school was first selected as a Local Cause, the money was used to create a wonderful new library space for the children, but due to Covid, more classroom space needed to be created, and the lovely reading area had to be sacrificed for teaching space so the APT applied to the Local Cause fund again to see if they could get more support to rehome the library.

"Before Covid there was a merged class system, with more than one year group in a class," explained Jenn. "But when Covid hit we had to have class 'bubbles' meaning that we needed more classrooms, so more space had to be found, and the children's library moved into the hall. The school asked the APT to raise some money for a temporary building that could house the library, and so we applied again to be a Co-op Local Cause.

"The Local Cause Fund has raised so much money for the school – it has been brilliant.

"But even when we are not a Local Cause we get so much support from the local store."Matthew, the store manager, is always open to helping us out by supplying things like mulled wine for our winter fayre. We really appreciate all the help that he and the Co-op gives us. They are brilliant and we are so lucky to have the Co-op in the village. A lot of the parents from the school work there too, and we all use the store. It really is part of the community."

How can I support Co-op Local Causes?

Co-op Membership helps support Co-op's national charity partners and Local Community Fund causes. See www.coop.co.uk/membership

The more members that shop with Co-op, the more money your project will receive. When Co-op Members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes into their Co-op Membership account and Co-op gives the same to support community organisations and local causes.