KIND-hearted customers and staff from a Black Country Sainsbury’s store dug deep into their pockets to help raise over £18,000 to sponsor a hearing dog puppy.

The Amblecote store spent two years accumulating the cash after selecting Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as their local charity partner.

The charity proved so popular that it was twice chosen by customers and colleagues alike for two years running following a combination of in-store and on-line votes.

Funds were raised through the store following a variety of activities which included tombolas and collections, while former cafe colleague Lisa Cope performed a sky dive with one of her friends.

The money is now being used to sponsor a hearing puppy named Willow who is currently going through her in training.

The charity's community fundraising manager Vicky Ryan said: “We have absolutely loved working with our friends at Amblecote Sainsbury's over the past two years and are very sad the partnership has come to an end.

“We raised an amazing amount and I have been astonished by the generosity and friendliness of all the customers and colleagues alike.

“We will be staying in touch with the store because they are supporting one of our puppies through her training.”

However the store hasn't been resting on their laurels and have recently taken on a new charity partner after Sycamore Adventure won the most votes.

The scheme is an award winning adventure playground and social enterprise which provides all children from whichever background the opportunity to play, explore and imagine.

Sainsbury’s local charity scheme is now in its tenth year, with Sycamore Adventure due to be launched as the Amblecote store’s new partner in early August.