A CHARITY is appealing to residents to help raise much-needed funds.

Middlewich Clean Team, run by a network of volunteers, is encouraging people to sign up to Easyfundraising to buy goods online so that they can receive commission.

The group has been a part of the scheme since 2014 but funds have dried up in recent months.

Stephen Dent, MCT committee member, said: “It’s easy for people to join up and we could always do with more support from the community. When we last looked we had managed to raise £80 through the website so it got forgotten about for a while.

“Part of the problem is people tend to buy items as soon as they see them online, and they have to actively go through the website portal for us to get a donation.

“There are significant costs that come with running the clean team such as insurance, paperwork, equipment and running the website.

“Thankfully we receive £500 from the town council to help facilitate this but a stream of funds would go a long way for us.

“The group has also recently been the recipient of a £2,500 community grant from Tesco. This will probably supply the group’s equipment for the next 18 months and that is a massive help.”

The scheme requires the user to sign up and shop online and every time they buy something, a small commission is given to the group.

Easyfundraising is supported by more than 3,000 shops and sites and £18,000,000 has been raised nationally.

Janet Chisholm, MCT committee member, said: “We’re always on the lookout for ways to raise money so this is another great way for people to support us. If we could get more people in Middlewich to use it then that would be fantastic.”

The next group litter pick is on Saturday with volunteers meeting at Total People in King Street.

New members are welcome and the event will take place between 2pm and 3pm.