MONMOUTH charities were among those who benefitted from the Waitrose Community Matters last month.

This included Community Connections, a local befriending scheme working in the rural areas of Monmouth, Raglan, Usk, Chepstow and Caldicot. They link volunteers with isolated people who are over 50 and offer practical and friendly help. Miranda Thomason collected a cheque on behalf of the group for £304.

Other beneficiaries were Heartstart who were given £317, collected by Cara Hopgood, Hereford Open Door received £213, collected by Maggie and Mike Wilkinson, Natalie Whyatt and Eleanor Ryan from Ty Hafan received a cheque for £1,300 made up of £590 from Community Matters and £710 raised by Waitrose Management Partners who did a sponsored bike ride. Also in the photo is Dan Morehead Department Manager of Retail.