SUPERMARKET shoppers have helped raise more than £6,000 for four good causes in Felixstowe.

A share of the money will go towards the resort’s coast patrol and rescue service to help keep it on the waves this summer.

The cash came from a token scheme run by the East of England Co-operative Society at its supermarket in Hamilton Road.

For each £5 spent, customers received a token worth 5p which they could choose to donate to any of the three projects supported by the scheme – the Felixstowe Mayor’s Charities, Felixstowe Chamber of Trade and Felixstowe Volunteer Coastal Patrol and Rescue Service.

Store manager Darren Wash said: “It was great to see the customers and store colleagues getting involved and that certainly reflects the amount that has been raised.

“As a local resident myself I know that this will make a big difference to the town and would like to say a big thank you to all of those who took part.”

John Cresswell, chairman of the coast patrol service, said “The trustees and committee would like to express their sincere thanks to the East of England Co-op for their past sponsorship and for this cheque which will go some way to supporting the service throughout 2013.

“The service has enjoyed a long association with the East of England Co-op without whose financial support it would, at times, have been difficult to survive.”

Last summer the service dealt with 59 incidents – 20 of them where rescue was needed, helping 37 people.

Donations made to mayor Mike Deacon’s charity fund will be divided between the FACTS dial-a-ride scheme, devoted to helping disabled and mobility-impaired people to get out and about, and Level Two youth project, which works with young people aged from 10 to 25.

Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce will use its share to work with organisations and businesses to publicise the attractions and events in the town to bring more tourist business.