Dalmellington's Co-op pioneer says it fills her with delight to be able to support great causes in the area.

Gaela Hall was one of many pioneers who took part in handing out cash to community causes, after a selection process decided three causes per store.

The total sum paid out this year for the whole of Ayrshire was £48,006.16, including more than £5,000 for causes that Gaela was directly involved in.

READ MORE: Annual charity pay-out to Ayrshire charities sees almost £50,000 donated

Gaela said: "One of the major parts of my role as a Member Pioneer for the Co-op is to find new causes to be part of the local cause fund every year. 

"I seek new causes around March, and then they can apply in May. I try to get as many causes as possible to apply but only three are chosen per store. 

"This can be heart-breaking when you have to tell the ones that haven't been successful."

Cumnock Chronicle: Eloise Doole and Joanna Senior from Auchinleck & Cumnock Concert Bands Support Group, along with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall)Eloise Doole and Joanna Senior from Auchinleck & Cumnock Concert Bands Support Group, along with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall) (Image: Gaela Hall)

Cumnock Chronicle: Billy and Orangie of Dalmellington Bowling Club with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall)Billy and Orangie of Dalmellington Bowling Club with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall) (Image: Gaela Hall)

Causes supported this year through the company's Dalmellington and Mauchline stores included £1,188.58 to the Auchinleck and Cumnock Concert Bands Supports Group, £1,054.36 to Ochiltree Community Hub, £1,030.42 to Yipworld, £1,341.42 for CANI in the Community, and £1,272.58 for Dalmellington Bowling Club.

Gaela added: "The causes apply in May and due to the hundreds of thousands that apply, it takes months for the Co-op team in Manchester to check that all the criteria have been met. 

"Causes are then notified in October if they are successful. They then receive donations from October to October, and pay-outs are in October or early November.

Cumnock Chronicle: Alex Reid and Alannah of Ochiltree Community Hub with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall)Alex Reid and Alannah of Ochiltree Community Hub with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall) (Image: Gaela Hall)

Cumnock Chronicle: Kellie Brown of Yipworld and Lorraine from Co-op with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall) Kellie Brown of Yipworld and Lorraine from Co-op with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall) (Image: Gaela Hall)

"For a Member Pioneer, October is a really important month - new causes are told their good news and old causes receive their money.

"I represent the Dalmellington Co-op store but due to staff leaving, I was asked to carry out the pay-out celebration meetings for the Mauchline store.

"As you can see, we only have two for Dalmellington as one of our causes folded this year. For Mauchline there were three causes."

Cumnock Chronicle: Shane Roberts, Samantha Roberts, Kirsty McKim of C.A.N.I. and Shaye with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall) Shane Roberts, Samantha Roberts, Kirsty McKim of C.A.N.I. and Shaye with Gaela (Image: Gaela Hall) (Image: Gaela Hall)