The Southern Co-operative’s Chobham store is doing its bit to help ease the flooding crisis currently unfolding in Surrey.

An advance payment of £4,600 has been donated to Surrey Search and Rescue - one of the two charities it is currently supporting via its Community Support Card (CSC) scheme.

The sum will fund much-needed equipment including life jackets, torches and boots.

Surrey Search and Rescue helps the 999 services find missing persons and supports Surrey during major incidents and weather emergencies.

Launched last May the store’s CSC scheme aims to raise £10,000 for Surrey Search and Rescue and another local charity Link Able.

However, in response to the on-going flooding crisis, it has donated the £4,600 as an advance payment from the fund.

James Rossell from Surrey Search and Rescue said: “We asked The Southern Co-operative whether they could make an early payment of £4,600 which will buy 10 kits of dry suits, life jackets, radios, helmets, torches and boots.

This extra flood rescue equipment is desperately needed in the local area at the moment and will dramatically help the local community and support the emergency services in this time of need.”

The CSC scheme will continue at The Southern Co-operative’s Chobham store, which still aims to reach it’s £10,000 goal by June.