THE CHAFFORD HUNDRED branch of Sainsburys has been praised after the looked back on the help they have given to their chosen charity, Batias.
Their PA ambassador Liz Stevens reflects upon the year.
Liz said: “Our year began last summer when we were able to call the Batias office and tell them that they had won. I can still remember making that call and the long pause at the end of the phone, they couldn’t believe they had won! It was the best reaction ever!
Since then we have been really privileged to be able to not only come alongside the charity in a professional capacity but to build great friendships with the people that work for and with batias. To top it all off we raised £4358.19 and gave the Café 4 U a makeover worth over £2000!
We’ve had so many highlights, our nightshift team dressing up at the front of the store as The Simpsons, the incredibly heart warming Batias AGM, but most of all just the laughs and giggles with everyone who comes into store or that we see when were out and about.
Branch manager Mike Agha said: “ This year has really flown by. It seems like only yesterday we were learning about what Citezen Advocacy was and how it worked within our own community, and now we get to champion the work of Batias who support over 600 people every year. Some of the greatest achievements have not only been the remarkable amount of money we have raised, but how we’ve been able to be educated and then talk confidently about disability and learning difficulties. We really feel like the work Batias do has a special place in our community which is why this is not goodbye, simply See you soon!”
The Batias Trustees and Board said:
“The Trustees and staff at BATIAS were really over whelmed to hear about the fantastic sum that has been raised by the staff at the Sainsbury’s Chafford Hundred store. As their charity of the year for 2012-2013, the money will support our citizen advocacy service where volunteers form a long term partnership with people with learning disabilities, enabling them to have far greater access to the local community. We have really enjoyed working with all of the staff at the store and thank them for their commitment and hard work in raising over £4300, a fantastic sum for BATIAS.”
