RUTHIN social enterprise Book of You CIC is bidding to bag a cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco works with Groundwork to run its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £2,000, £1,000 and £500 awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

Book of You CIC is one of the groups on the shortlist.

Book of You CIC is an award winning social enterprise based at Birch House in Ruthin and works with older people and people living with dementia, helping them to create digital life story books using our multimedia app.

Kathy Barham, director of Book of You, says “We are thrilled to have the chance to do more work in Ruthin again.

"We have had a very successful year working in Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Wrexham, as well as South Wales, the Wirral and Cheshire.

"We want to improve the wellbeing of as many people as we can by using our proven multimedia web app to build personal life story books, as well as bring families closer together, wherever they are in the world.

"Our staff and volunteers will support the groups and individuals, ensuring they get the best possible outcomes.

People can find out more about our work at www.bookofyou.co.uk.”

Voting is open in all Tesco stores in February and March and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.

Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme has already provided over £80 million to more than 27,000 projects across Britain.

Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop.

Every three months, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

David Page, head of community at Tesco, said: “Bags of Help contributes funds to community projects up and down the country and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from customers voting in their local stores. We’re looking forward to seeing more projects brought to life.”

Groundwork’s national chief executive Graham Duxbury added: “Bags of Help continues to enable local communities up and down Britain to improve the local spaces and places that matter to them.

"The diversity of projects that are being funded shows that local communities have a passion to create something great in their area.

"We are pleased to be able to be a part of the journey and provide support and encouragement to help local communities thrive.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities.

Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online.

To find out more, visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp