​Staff put the kettle on to raise cash for children with half a heart

Generous staff at Sainsbury's Merry Hill have been busy serving tea and coffee to raise cash for children with half a heart.

The staff at the Merry Hill supermarket raised £250 for Little Hearts Matter, a charity that supports families when their child has only half a heart, during a 'Mummy Morning' which takes place every Tuesday in Eat Central at the Merry Hill Centre.

Yvonne Artiss, PR Ambassador at Sainsbury's Merry Hill said: "We chose to donate to Little Hearts Matter as the grandson of one of our colleagues has been affected by the condition and was treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital. He is now 3 1/2 years old and is in a stable condition.

"We use the money raised from Mummy Mornings each week to benefit local charities and charities that are close to a colleague or customers' heart. Aside from this we have allocated fundraising days for charities to come into store and raise funds for themselves."

Suzie Hutchinson, Chief Executive of Little Hearts Matter, said: "Learning that your unborn baby has only half a working heart is so frightening for expectant mums and dads. They feel so alone and confused about the complex treatment that their baby will need when they are born. Little Hearts Matter is able to offer them support, information and a friendly voice as they begin and then continue the complex journey that is life when a child has only half a working heart."

Every penny raised for Little Hearts Matter goes towards supporting the children and families of those diagnosed with half a heart and help to ensure children are able to live an active and happy life for as long as possible.