FOLLOWING a successful year working with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a Black Country supermarket has raised almost £9,000 for the charity.

The charity has also been successfully voted back in as Sainsbury’s Amblecote’s charity partner for a second year.

The group was originally chosen by customers and staff in 2016 and has received support from the store for the past year including fundraising and awareness raising.

A range of activities have raised £8,941.24 for the cause, including tombolas, collections, staff raffles and a sky-dive by café worker Lisa Cope and her best friend Lynn Mann. The money raised will be used to name and sponsor a hearing dog.

Dave Roach, deputy store manager, said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People over the past 12 months.

“Our customers and colleagues worked really hard to help raise vital funds for the charity and we’re really proud with everything we’ve achieved, so far.”

Stourbridge News:

At the end of June, customers were given the chance to vote in store and online for the store’s new charity partner, with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People receiving the most combined votes and being voted in as the 2017-18 Charity of the Year.

Vicky Ryan, Midlands community fundraising manager for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, added: “Our volunteers have thoroughly enjoyed working with customers and colleagues at Sainsbury’s Amblecote, over the last twelve months.

“We have been astonished and are in awe of the friendliness and generosity of everyone involved. We are honoured to have been chosen for another year and we look forward to seeing everyone in store.

“Hearing Dog Harley is looking forward to seeing you all again too.”

Sainsbury’s local charity scheme is now entering its ninth year and has raised more than £13 million to support good causes across the country.