Staff from Sainsbury’s in Warlingham will be swopping one uniform for another on Saturday 4 September as they dress up to launch their new Charity of the Year partnership with the Tandridge Community Fund. The Superstore has chosen the Fund to benefit from its fundraising activities over the next year and is aiming to raise as much as possible for local voluntary and charitable groups who will be beneficiaries of the Fund.

The Tandridge Community Fund was started in 2008 by a small panel of committed Tandridge residents. Managed by the Community Foundation for Surrey, a charitable trust which aims to inspire more giving in Surrey, it is creating a permanent source of funding to support voluntary, community and charitable groups in the local area. Earlier this year local resident David Gold, co-owner of West Ham FC , became patron of the Tandridge Fund and donations now total £55,000. As the interest accumulates it is awarded in grants to support projects of benefit to the local area.

Sainsbury’s Manager, Dave Benstead, says “The staff are really looking forward to getting involved in the fundraising this year. We think the Tandridge Fund is a fantastic way to help support a range of small, local initiatives who may find it hard to raise funds for themselves.”

Chairman of the Tandridge Community Fund, Mike Moss, who was recently awarded an MBE for his services to the community, says, “We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as Sainsbury’s Charity of the Year. Their support comes at a crucial time. With more cut backs on the horizon, things are going to get tough for small local groups; there has never been a better time to get local giving off the ground in Tandridge.“

He continues, “The Tandridge Community Fund makes giving locally really simple. Every donation will go towards building a permanent fund, helping initiatives that make a difference in our area like youth groups, health support services and community facilities. We are really looking forward to working with the staff and customers to raise as much money as possible over the coming year.”

The Tandridge Community Fund is one of a number of funds managed by the Community Foundation for Surrey. These funds are distributed as grants to local voluntary and community organisations. To make a donation to the Tandridge Fund or find out more about the work of the Community Foundation for Surrey visit www.communityfoundationsurrey.org.uk/tandridge.