The Co-op has stepped in to raise money for the Cave Rescue Organisation, its charity of choice for the coming year.

It’s a vital time for the CRO as its major fundraising event of the year, Broughton Game Show, has been cancelled.

Sheila Brown, manager of the Co-op’s Ingleton store, said: “This was a personal choice for me and I am happy that we were able to make Cave Rescue our charity of the year.

“We expect to raise a lot of money and because of my personal connections with the organisation, it’s a great time to be doing something as they are losing out on some funds this year.

“A lot of our customers at the shop are visitors to the area and they may well need the help of CRO if they get in to trouble whether that is in a cave or out walking.

We want to help make people aware of the work that Cave Rescue does and the funds required.

“ It’s also interesting that even in hard times like these our customers are willing to give to charity and we are seeing just how much money can be raised with our in-store collection tins.”

Sheila is also planning other fundraising activities. “It’s extremely important that we do all we can for the CRO as they do all sorts to help visitors to the area as well as the local community,” she said.

The Co-op’s community based projects have helped to raise money for a wide range of worthwhile causes and over the past ten years members of the Co-op have donated more than £7 million.

Cave Rescue chairman Bill Quinton said: “We’d all like to thank Sheila and her staff for making us their charity of the year. Ingleton Co-op has always been helpful in the past, and our collecting tin there has been well supported.

“But this is taking that extra step to help keep our mountain and cave rescue service running well.

“We need to raise over £30,000 every year to keep equipment and off-road ambulances replaced and in tip top condition, so Sheila’s special effort is very much appreciated.”