STAFF at the Merry Hill and Amblecote branches of Sainsbury’s are celebrating after raising more than £13,000 for their chosen charities since last June.

The Amblecote store raised a combined total of £9,947.73 through various fundraising events and food donations for its customer and colleague selected cause – Black Country Food Bank.

Andy Beardmore, store manager, said: “We've had an excellent year supporting the Black Country Food Bank.

“Our customers and colleagues have got involved with a number of fundraising activities and we’d like to thank everyone at the charity for making it such a brilliant partnership.”

Jen Coleman, office manager from the food bank added: “We’d like to thank the customers and colleagues in the Amblecote area for their support over the past year.

“It has made a difference to our charity and we’re extremely grateful for the donations and awareness we’ve been able to raise.”

Sainsbury’s Merry Hill raised money for the Dudley Bliss Charity, which offers support to families who live in and around Dudley borough who have either had a baby born too soon, too small or too sick on any neo-natal unit.

Yvonne Artiss, staff member at the store, said: “When Dudley Bliss became our charity of the year they gave us a wish list of different items that would benefit the group, its members and families in hospital.

“We are pleased to announce that we have been able to raise £2,231.76, which is enough to cover all items on the wish list.”