Start It Right cic are bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Community Grants initiative. Tesco works with community charity Groundwork to run its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £1,500, £1,000 and £500 awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every community 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.

Start It Right cic is one of the groups on the shortlist.

The 'Eat Out Together' project is a new initiative aimed at supporting young people to develop an understanding of healthy eating and develop cooking skills

Managing Director Aroona Shaukat said: 'We're delighted that our Eat Out Together project has been selected as one of the shortlist for the Tesco Community Grants initiative. This project will make a positive difference to local young people in Croydon in nurturing their passion for cooking, sharing cultural knowledge with others and leading healthier and more active lifestyles. We can't wait to see the outcome of the voting campaign in September and hope as many people will vote for us to deliver this worthwhile cause. '

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

Shoppers can vote for Start It Right in the following stores:

SANDERSTEAD EXP CR2 0PL Express
CROYDON SOUTHEND EXP CR2 6EA Express
COULSDON EXP CR5 2RA Express
PURLEY EXTRA CR8 2HA Extra

Tesco’s Community Grants scheme has already provided over £85 million to more than 36,000 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.

Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Tesco Community Grants help support local good causes but especially those projects supporting young people, those providing food, and local causes close to our colleagues’ hearts.”

Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “Tesco Community Grants continues to give local projects the boost they need to help their communities thrive. By funding services which support young people and reduce food poverty, we hope to facilitate positive change from the ground up across the UK. We are pleased to have been able to help so many local good causes over the years and look forward to seeing what community organisations can achieve in the future with the right resources.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities, particularly those helping to provide food and giving children the support they need for a good start in life.

Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/communitygrants.