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Resourceful Commercial Manager, Ann-Marie Gilroy from Sainsbury’s Amblecote, has got fundraising off to a flying start for the store’s recently announced charity partner 2011/2012 – The Brierley Hill Project.

While clearing out old bits of scrap from the store, she hit upon the idea of approaching a local scrap metal dealer, rather than the metal be skipped or, worse still, end up in a landfill site.

Through the generosity of the proprietors of Mason Metals LTD in Two Woods Lane, Brierley Hill, she was able to convert the scrap into £386.70 for the charity partner, with the firm making an additional donation of £113.30 – to round the figure up to £500.

Neil Woodall, Commercial Manager of Mason Metals LTD said:  “We are pleased that we could help the charity, in the form of the donation, but equally pleased to raise awareness of the value of redundant scrap metal, that can be used to help finance local business and charities.”

The Brierley Hill Project, based on the Chapel Street Estate, works to provide a community hub for people living in the area, providing access to support services and opportunities.  These include offering help and advice to people, including one-to-one mentoring, help with reading and writing, life skills coaching, or just friendship.

The charity is also a distribution point for the Black Country Food Bank and offers various clubs, arts and music activities. Over the last two years, the charity has provided support to over 2000 people.

The store has pledged to raise £2000 for the charity over the next twelve months and has already held a Launch Evening on Monday 27th June, which raised £300 for the charity, via a colleague raffle.  The evening took the form of a fashion show and buffet for colleagues and members of the Brierley Hill Project, with senior management colleagues providing a spectacular finale!!!

During the night the charity showcased their work to colleagues, with members of the Brierley Hill Project movingly recording how the charity’s support had transformed their lives.

John Cook, Operations Manager and Trustee of the Brierley Hill Project said: “We are overwhelmed by the support so far and appreciate all the efforts of all the staff at Sainsbury’s Amblecote, and would like to say a special thank you to Ann-Marie for this creative initiative.”

The store will be planning additional activities over the coming year with members of the Brierley Hill Project and aims to provide donations to the Food Bank, career and interviewing advice and volunteering support.

Sainsbury’s Amblecote Commercial Manager Ann-Marie added: I’m delighted that working with local firm Mason Metals has enabled us to recycle our scrap and result in such a positive outcome for our charity.”