Second year at Sainsbury's for Freddie Farmer fund (From News Shopper)

Second year at Sainsbury's for Freddie Farmer fund

10:31am Thursday 21st June 2012 in Community

SAINSBURY’S Eltham have opted to support the Freddie Farmer Foundation for a second year.

The store’s sponsorship of the local charity was due to end on June 20, but manager Ian Keeble said: “We’re delighted to announce that we have agreed to support the foundation for a second year. It has been a pleasure to work with the charity in its infancy and now to agree to more of the same.”

More than £8,000 has been raised through the store – and that’s not including the numerous cakes, prizes, cheese and biscuits donated for various events.

Freddie’s mum, Deanne, said: “It’s wonderful to have Sainsbury’s support for a second year. We really can’t thank them enough, not only because of the money we have been able to raise but for all the effort and enthusiasm from everyone we meet at the store.”

Marissa Arnold is the store’s human resources manager. She added: “Our colleagues and customers have really taken Freddie to their hearts and we’ll be pleased to carry on helping.”

The first big fund-raiser was a purple-themed fun weekend last August. Including purple cupcakes, that raised £420.38. That same month the store supported a coffee morning that raised another £700.

In October it was Freddie Week during half term at the store when shoppers paid to guess the weight of a giant pumpkin and also bought Freddie bread pudding, biscuits, balloons and wristbands, raising £1,090.62 for the foundation.

March meant the great ‘Pound the Streets’ day led by Paralympic gold medallist Danny Crates when staff and supporters, including Cllr Jim Gillman, walked to the Sainsbury’s in Chislehurst. The unique event raised more than £2,000, including a £50 donation by Cllr Gillman.

The latest event, the store's Jubilee Tea Party, raised another £336.

The Freddie Farmer Foundation, a registered charity, was formed a year ago to set up a specialised physiotherapy centre in SE London for children and young people with cerebral palsy and serious mobility problems. Freddie Farmer was born at 28 weeks with cerebral palsy, weighing just 2lb 12oz.

FIND OUT MORE www.freddiefarmerfoundation.org.uk