Two new supermarket stores have thrown their support behind a brilliant charity for those with learning disabilities.
A new Sainsburys Local, in Tolworth, has chosen to raise money for The Sunnybank Trust's Shine On appeal.
The Epsom Guardian launched the appeal last May to help it ensure it can keep on running its weekly social club, Kites; a friendship scheme and independent advocacy service.
The charity needs to pull out all the stops to raise £106,000 in match funding so it can collect £288,000 offered by the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities Programme which will allow it to help 150 more people with learning disabilities in the Epsom area over the next five years.
The store's manager Darren Courtney said: "Being a local charity, The Sunnybank Trust is involved with the most vulnerable in our own community and will make a difference to those closest to us.
"As a community store Sainsburyslocal values this and supports the tremendous work that is being done."
Tom Rhind-Tutt MBE, who founded the trust in the living room of his home in Sunnybank on the Woodcote Estate, in Epsom 25 years ago, cut the ribbon on the new store last Thursday, February 6.
Great supermarkets must think alike, because a new Tesco Express store, due to open in Ruxley Lane on February 18, will live up to its ‘every little helps’ slogan by donating £500 to the appeal.
Representatives from the charity will be the guests of honour when the new supermarket branch, which will create 17 new jobs locally, opens at 10.30am. They will also be invited to cut a ribbon to officially mark its arrival.
Store manager Sothirajah Sanjiv said: "My team and I appreciate that The Sunnybank Trust do such wonderful work in the local area, and are delighted to be able to invite them along to launch our store and receive the £500 donation.
"We are looking forward to opening the doors and I am proud to be playing a part, along with my team, in breathing new life into the heart of the local community."
HOW YOU CAN HELP
There are a number of ways you can support our Shine On Appeal:
1. Visit the charity's Justgiving page on The Sunnybank Trust's website (www.sunnybanktrust.org) and click on 'donate'
2. Text £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to The Sunnybank Trust by texting TSBT16 followed by the amount to 70070.
3. Post cheques and postal orders payable to "The Sunnybank Trust" to: The Sunnybank Trust, St. Barnabas Church, Temple Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8HA.
4. Volunteer to help fundraise or run an event, or donate gifts, services or vouchers for raffles: call the fundraising team on 01372 749871 or email enquiries@sunnybanktrust.org
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