BOURTON-on-the-Water shoppers swiped at the chance to give local charities a boost during Fairtrade Fortnight in March.

The Midcounties Co-operative Food store held a Swipe and Win competition and the winners picked two charities in the area to donate money to.

Over a four week campaign, a member was selected at random to nominate a local charity to receive a £100 donation. The member also won £100 worth of food vouchers.

Three members selected The Sam Pilcher Trust, a local children’s cancer charity, and one selected Kate’s Home Nursing, based in Stow-on the-Wold and Bourton.

The Sam Pilcher Trust, which helps young patients during and after treatment at the Bristol Royal and Gloucester Royal Children’s Hospitals, received a donation of £300. The Trust, which has a charity shop in Bourton-on-the-Water, was founded in memory of Sam Pilcher, who lived in the village of Upper Slaughter and was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September 2008.

Sam decided to start ‘fun’-raising to help other children who were suffering from leukaemia by raising funds in more fun and creative ways. During his illness he took part in many fundraising activities, including a sponsored bike ride around Cotswold villages and at school he helped to organise cake baking days and cross-country running activities.

Kate’s Home Nursing, which provides palliative nursing care at home for terminally ill patients, and gives respite to families and carers, received £100.  It was set up by Stow resident Kate King in 1995 after she noticed the lack of care available for patients at home.

Adam Quinton, operations support for premium supermarkets at The Midcounties Co-operative Food, said: “The Midcounties Co-operative always aims to give back to its communities so it is fantastic that Swipe and Win winners were able to select local charities of their choice. Kate’s Home Nursing and The Sam Pilcher Trust do valuable work in the community and we hope our donations go some way to supporting their good work.”

Colin Pilcher, chairman of The Sam Pilcher Trust, said: “We are proud to have been selected by residents of Bourton-on-the-Water to receive these donations. With their support, we will be able to carry on helping children with cancer, providing the hospital’s school with iPads and books and giving grants for children and their families at a really difficult time.”