Tesco is bringing a positive start to Tavistock communities’ year by launching a campaign to give good causes part of a £300,000 boost.

From January 17 to February 6, Tavistock listeners to Heart and Smooth radio stations who work with charities or not-for-profit organisations will be encouraged to apply for a £5,000 cash grant.

Priority will be given to projects that provide food and support to young people, such as school breakfast clubs, foodbanks, or charities supporting young people to manage mental health.

The campaign is running in addition to Tesco Community Grants, the in-store scheme where customers vote with blue tokens for community projects and groups, which has been helping local people since 2016.

Among the groups to receive funding for recent projects was Dartmoor Search & Rescue Tavistock, which put its £1,000 grant towards the replacement of a control vehicle so the team could continue delivering essential services to Dartmoor users.

Another was the Mary Budding Trust, which was given £1,000 towards providing equipment to children aged 11 and under with additional needs.

Claire de Silva, head of community at Tesco, said: ‘We know the start of the year can be tough for many families financially, so we wanted to find a way to give something extra to the communities our stores support across the country.

‘We hope that Heart and Smooth listeners will help us celebrate all the community groups who make such a difference to young people and families, not just in January but year round too. We’re really proud to be launching this new campaign, which is an extra boost to our Tesco Community Grants scheme that already helps thousands of people every year.”

Graham Duxbury, chief executive at Groundwork, the charity that works with Tesco on community initiatives, said: ‘For many people the combination of money worries and the ongoing impact of the pandemic is making the start of 2022 a challenging time.

‘That’s why it’s so important that we continue to support the local charities and community groups who work tirelessly to provide essential services and bring people together in neighbourhoods across the country. Money is tight for many of these groups too, so we’re delighted to be working with Tesco to make extra funds available so that they can expand their activities and help more people.’

Heart and Smooth FM presenters, including Jamie Theakston and Jeni Falconer, will be telling listeners how to nominate their favourite groups on air for two weeks from January 17.

To nominate your chosen charity or community group and to find out more about Tesco Community Grants go to www.tescocommunitygrants.org.uk