SUPERMARKET workers in Dorset have helped raise £1 million for children’s hospice charities like Dorset-based Julia’s House.

Morrisons hopes to raise £10 million in total during its three-year charity partnership with the national charity Together for Short Lives, to help local children’s hospices in the UK provide a lifeline of care for the most seriously ill children and their families.

Across Dorset, Morrisons stores in Weymouth, Bridport, Blandford and Verwood and just over the border in New Milton, Hampshire, have been taking part in an array of activities that will benefit their local children’s hospice, Julia’s House.

Last week the Morrisons Summer Carnival promotion provided the chance for staff and customers to take part in some fun and colourful fundraising activities.

Caroline Attreed, corporate fundraiser for Julia’s House, joined staff at the stores in New Milton and Verwood to help the promotion go with a swing.

She said: “It’s fantastic to have opportunities like these to raise awareness of Julia’s House and talk directly with local customers of Morrisons. The stores’ Charity Champions are all very passionate about making a difference in their local communities and they are doing such great work getting their colleagues and customers involved.

“We rely almost entirely on donations to fund our life-changing support for families, who are providing round-the-clock care for their very seriously ill child. I’d like to say a big thank you to all of the Morrisons teams and to every single customer who has donated to support the vital work of Julia’s House and the growing number of families who depend on our care!”

Together for Short Lives CEO Andy Fletcher said: “The creativity and enthusiasm shown by Morrisons colleagues up and down the country during the first four months of our partnership has been just amazing! A huge thank you from Together for Short Lives to everyone who has worked so hard to reach the £1 million milestone - it will make such a difference to families caring for a seriously ill child.”

Morrisons CEO, David Potts said: “We’re pleased to have reached the £1 million milestone for Together for Short Lives. Our colleagues and customers are passionate about raising vital funds for local children’s hospices so that they can provide seriously ill children and their families with opportunities to spend very highly valued time together.”

The next opportunity to support Julia’s House at your local Morrisons store comes will be from August 15 to 21, when you can join in the fun of Superheroes week.