WILMSLOW Animal Sanctuary has received a major boost from the Tesco Bags of Help blue token scheme.

The charity has won £2,000 from the scheme via Tesco Extra at Handforth Dean and Tesco Express stores as Handforth, Dean Row, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Bramhall.

“The Animal Sanctuary is delighted to announce it has bagged £2,000 from Tesco’s Bags of Help community grant scheme,” said sanctuary manager Sarah Diggle.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Tesco for shortlisting the sanctuary and to all our supporters for voting.

“With this grant we plan to build additional accessible toilets and a sheltered area with seating for visitors and school parties.

“We are now in need of dedicated facilities such as toilets and a sheltered seating area which will be accessible to all including those visitors who need disabled access. Thank you for your continued support.”

The Bags of Help scheme has also provided a boost for The Seashell Trust, which supports children and young adults with complex learning disabilities and additional communication needs from across the UK.

It provides education and care from two to 25 years of age at its school and college and through its short breaks services.

The Trust applied for funding for a canopy for its car wash, which is run by its students.

Trust fundraising manager Wendy Bray said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Tesco customers for supporting Seashell Trust through the Bags of Help scheme.

“Our car wash is an excellent work experience opportunity, not only in developing our students’ skills around confidence, decision-making and team work but also in creating a sense of worth and being a valuable part of the community.

“Opportunities for young people like this are very limited, which is why we have created the project. Equally important, it gives the community a chance to engage with some of the most isolated members of the community and learn how to interact with them.

“This serves as a great way to bring communities together and teach disability awareness. It also gives the students a real sense of mental wellbeing in being able to put money back into the charity that supports them.”