Sainsbury’s in Neston has raised nearly £2,000 for the Wirral Fund for Children with Special Needs.

The charity, run by volunteers, raises funds to buy specialist equipment for young children and teenagers with special needs. Some of the equipment can be very expensive.

The group did a bag pack in three Sainsbury stores and staff held raffles, tombolas and colleague pay day cake sales over 12 months.

Trustees Pamela and Sandra went to store to collect a cheque for a massive £1,970.02 from PR ambassador Louise Irvine along with deputy manager Dave Dudley Smith, colleague Emma Randall and café colleague Helen Doyle Smith.

The trustees were delighted with the total and had recently held a meeting to discuss what to spend the money on. All items are requested by a professional working with the family and discussed in detail before approval.

So the committee approved the purchase of a special car seat and escape-proof harness; a special pea pod beanbag for an older disabled child; special accessories for buggies such as rain hoods and sunshades. These are necessary for older children with special needs. They are also looking at special outdoor play equipment – adapted tricycles and bicycles are important to encourage outdoor play and social integration with peers.

Sainsbury’s Neston was delighted with the amount raised and would like to thank customers and colleagues for their efforts.