Downloading the new Co-op Membership app will not only help shoppers in the Crewe area make great savings – but it also gives a boost to local causes in the community.

More than one million Co-op Members have now downloaded the app, which gives them extra value with in-store promotions and personalised special offers.

And all the while that Members are enjoying the great benefits of the app, including 2p in every pound returned to their personal Membership rewards balance when they buy own-brand groceries, local causes are also benefiting.

That's because the Co-op donates 2p in every pound spent on own-brand products to local grassroots projects. In fact, since 2016 Co-op have donated over £70 million to 21,000 local causes.

Shoppers at Co-op stores in Crewe who download the app will be contributing to great local causes in their community, such as South Cheshire CLASP.

South Cheshire CLASP provides much-needed support for lone parents and their children.

It does this by running emotional wellbeing groups for children and parents, organising parenting courses and offering one-to-one practical support.

South Cheshire CLASP Chief Executive Julia Wood says the money received from the Co-op has been essential in keeping their services running.

The funding has also been used to buy emotional wellbeing goody bags packed with luxuries such as bubble bath and chocolate. These were given out to parents and families, to provide a little bit of much-needed relaxation.

Julia says the goody bags have been well received and the aim is to provide more of them at a time when they are not able to see families face-to-face.

Members can also access recipe suggestions, and choose the local causes that they want to support through the app. The app also includes a new scannable digital Membership card, enabling consumers to swipe their card in a contactless way.

Since the programme refresh, the amount Co-op donates to local causes has doubled. That supports the vital work of local causes to create healthier and happier communities and to help those most in need, including a focus on access to food and mental wellbeing.

And if that's not good news enough, you might like to know that around 250,000 Members bagged a free Co-op Irresistible 100g Fairtrade chocolate bar during launch week.

Greg Hutchison, Director of Membership & Personalisation, Co-op, said: "Co-op is committed to creating value for our Members and communities, and with the refresh of our Membership programme and launch of our digital app we are now able to do even more of this.

"We're delighted to be able to reward our Members for their loyalty and to double the amount we give to local causes to support the vital work they carry out in communities during this unprecedented and challenging time."

More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available at the website here.