Renfrew Burgh Band is bidding to bag a massive cash boost with the help of a nationwide supermarket scheme.

Tesco shoppers are being encouraged to show their support for the Burgh Band by voting with the blue tokens given to them every time they shop at stores across Renfrewshire. It comes after Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants awarded to local community projects. Greenspace Scotland is working with Groundwork to provide support to communities in Scotland.

Formed in 1911, Renfrew Burgh Band is aiming to purchase a new set of waistcoats to replace its aging, old-fashioned jackets, ensuring the band can continue to represent Renfrew with pride on concert and competition platforms all over Scotland. It comes after the 2017 brass band season resumed, with highlights of the year so far including winning the award for Best Second Section Band at the Northern Counties Brass Band Championships and a capacity performance at Renfrew on Film 3 in the town hall, celebrating Renfrew’s proud heritage.

David Hoey, chairman of Renfrew Burgh Band, said: “For more than a century, Renfrew Burgh Band has been entertaining audiences across the country with its high level of music making.

“Our current uniforms have served us well, featuring in Scottish Championship wins, concerts and gala days in the local community and performing at the Renfrew Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. However, they are now past their best and it’s crucial that the band continues to look the part, as well as sound the part, as it looks ahead to another busy and prestigious diary of engagements over the coming year.”

Shoppers will be able to cast their votes in the Rockfield, East Lane, Linwood, Glasgow Airport and Newmains Road (Renfrew) stores throughout September and October.

Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered over £33 million to more than 6,400 projects up and down the UK. Customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. When votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

Tony McElroy, Tesco’s head of communications in Scotland, said: “We are absolutely delighted to open the voting for September and October. There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t wait to see these come to life in hundreds of communities.”

Emma Halliday, community enabler co-ordinator at greenspace Scotland, said: “We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding, ranging from outdoor classrooms, sports facilities, community gardens, play areas and everything in between.

“We’re looking forward to learning the results of the customer vote and then supporting each group to bring their project to life.”

More information about Renfrew Burgh Band is available by logging on to Facebook, Twitter or the band’s website: www.renfrewburghband.co.uk Details on Tesco’s Bags of Help Scheme can be found at: www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp