THIRTEEN charities will receive more than £1,000 each following fundraising from Co-operative stores in Dorset.

Colleagues and customers raised in excess of £14,000 with the funds going to charities nominated by the local community.

Money was raised through collection pots and fundraising activities at Southern Co-op stores and will be rounded up to make sure each charity receives at least £1,000.

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Holly Bramble​, Community Lead at the regional, independent co-operative, said: "Each of these local causes makes a difference in their local community. It is incredibly important to us, our colleagues and our members to make sure we support them in their efforts - whether that is a local school working to be more sustainable or a charity which cares for people in need.

"So we'd like to thank every shopper who put their pennies in the collection pots and every colleague who organised a fundraising activity. It's been a tough few years but it is wonderful to see people continuing to support each other where they can."

The causes benefitting from the funding are Alzheimer's Research UK, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, Forest Holme Hospice Charity, Headlines Craniofacial Support, Julia's House, Life Education Wessex, Poole Hospital - Children's Ward, Shaftesbury Abbey CE Primary PTFA, St Gregory's Primary School PTFA, Teddy 20, Three Ells Trust, Townsend Youth Partnership, and Walford Mill Crafts.

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More than £1,000 was raised at stores in Blandford and Weymouth for Teddy 20 - a charity based in Blandford supporting children with cancer.

Founder Owen Newton, who set the charity up in memory of his youngest son Ted who had a very rare form of bone cancer, said: "We are pleased with all the support that Southern Co-op has given Teddy20. We've recently updated Ted's Shack (our Respite Holiday Home) in Weymouth and there are a number of items that we need to replace such as the TV so the donation has come at the perfect time."

The funding boost is in addition to the nearly £350,000 donated over the past six years to causes in Dorset through the Local Community Fund. The fund supports local organisations by donating 2p for every £1 spent by Co-op Members on selected products and services.