Store staff pledge year of fundraising to Henshaws

Employees at the new Foodhall will host a 12-month fundraising campaign for the charity, with a range of activities and events, including sponsored walks and runs, bag packs, cake bakes and raffles.

Henshaws Soceity for Blind People delivers projects in the heart of the community by providing expert care, advice and training to anyone affected by sight loss to enable them to build the skills and independence they need, to achieve the future they want.

Store Manager, Jessica Pickard, said: “Each year, M&S stores across the country make a commitment to working with local causes for the good of the immediate community.

“It was important for us to choose a local cause that means something to the employees and people in the area.

“Henshaws is a really worthy cause as it works at the heart of the community, making a difference through community support, education, and social enterprises.

“For that reason it was an obvious choice for our support this year. We look forward to working with Henshaws for many months to come, and hope that our customers will get behind the fundraising activities that we have lined up throughout the year.”

Lisa Sherratt, Events and Community Fundraiser at Henshaws, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as Marks & Spencer’s Charity of the Year in Knaresborough.

“As a charity, we rely heavily on the support from local businesses and the general public.

“The money raised by M&S Foodhall Knaresborough will help support disabled and visually impaired service users in the café at our Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough along with ensuring that our services remain available for those most in need in our community.”

The news comes as part of the new store’s commitment to work closely with local communities as part of Plan A, the pledge to become the world’s most sustainable retailer.

M&S Foodhall Knaresborough also recently treated a local school to a Christmas party to remember, by donating festive food and drink to pupils at Aspin Park Primary School.

Henshaws works in the north of England with centres and communities in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Manchester, Merseyside and Newcastle.

Each offers different services and programmes to blind but also work with people with other disabilities and family, friends and colleagues.

* If you are fundraising or have a story to tell email: [email protected]