Sainsbury’s stores in both Newport and Sandown have announced that Ability Dogs 4 Young People IOW will be the store’s Local Charity of the Year for 2015/2016.
The charity was voted in by customers both in store and online with a total of 382 votes at the Newport store and 117 Votes at the Sandown store.
Ability Dogs 4 Young People trains assistance dogs to help disabled young people and children on the Isle of Wight. AD4YP is an unique Island charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people and children on the Isle of Wight with physical disabilities and/or mental disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy. Each Ability Dog is trained individually to meet the specific and varied needs of their recipients.
To celebrate the announcement, a launch day will take place in both the Newport and Sandown Sainsbury’s stores on Friday 31st July. Customers will get the chance to meet representatives from the charity and learn more about the work they do.
The store team will also be fundraising for the charity by holding a Fundraising & Awareness weekend from 31st July – 2nd August, when volunteers and the training ability dogs’ puppies will be coming into the Newport Store to raise awareness and celebrate the partnership with Sainsbury’s.
Carol Court, Founder and CEO for Ability Dogs 4 Young People said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be chosen as the Local Charity of Year by Sainsbury’s Newport and Sandown Convenience Stores. We are looking forward to working together to raise the profile of our charity over the coming year. I’d like to thank all the customers who voted for us, we really appreciate your support”
The Local Charity scheme is now in its seventh year and this year for the first time, customers got the chance to vote for their favourite charity from a shortlist put together by their local store. The scheme has raised over £7 million to support local charities since 2009.
