Supermarket scoops national awards

The team at Asda in Dewsbury has scooped two national awards - one for raising £100 000 in seven years for the Tickled Pink campaign and another for its work in the community. Community life champion Sharon Kingswood and Martyn Stainton (new store manager) with the awards. (D511C405)

Asda Dewsbury was presented with the Top Fundraising Store award after it raised more than £100,000 in just seven years for the Tickled Pink campaign, in aid of Breast Cancer Care.

It was also awarded the Community Life award in recognition of the team’s excellent support and contributions to the local community.

Store community life champion Sharon Kingswood said: “I’m really proud, it’s all our colleagues that have made it possible, they are very giving with their time and money.

“Our community is amazing and the customers are always incredibly generous, we wouldn’t be so successful without their continued support.”

Last year, Sharon spent 446 hours working within the community, and to recognise this she, and 29 other people with a variety of achievements, was invited to the Houses of Parliament for afternoon tea and to meet Prime Minister David Cameron.

The store has raised more than £50,000 for local schools and charities over the last 12 months, and has donated £2,400 to charities chosen by customers through their Chosen By You, Given By Us scheme – including cash to the Reporter Series Fund.

Store manager Martyn Stainton said: “We are working hard to be the heart of the local community, and I’m really proud with what we have done as a store. Sharon does a fantastic job, and dedicates so much time and effort with a lot of hard work invested.”

The store also allowed 64 local groups to use its facilities free of charge last year.