A HAMPSHIRE charity that supports bereaved families has been awarded £4,500 from a community fund.

The Courage Foundation UK, has been awarded £4,500 from The Big Co-op Payout - a scheme which donates a percentage of profits to community projects chosen by its members.

The charity funds annual passes to theme parks for families with children who have suffered a bereavement.

It was founded by Ruth and Tony Palmer who lost their third child Jethro Courage when he died unexpectedly aged 20 months in March 2015.

Caz Meech, community ambassador for The Courage Foundation UK, was presented with a cheque at the Co-op store at Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford.

She said: “We are so grateful for such a generous amount. We buy annual passes to theme parks for bereaved children because we believe that grief should not rob childhood of fun.

“With this money we can support at least ten families, and we’d like to thank everyone that nominated us. It really will make such a difference.”

Along with The Courage Foundation UK, Wessex Cancer Trust and One Community were also recipients of recent Big Co-op Payouts.