The Southern Co-operative has raised £50,000 for charities across the south of England after its staff took part in the society’s annual Charity Awareness Week.

The initiative, held between July 23 and July 29, is designed to raise money for charities chosen by staff through the society’s community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’.

Each year, the Southern Co-op store that raises the most amount of funds recieves an extra £10,000 for their chosen charity, with the Bramber House store at Sussex University in Brighton winning the prize this year.

Staff from across the southern region took part in fundraising events including crazy hair days, cycle rides, book sales, abseils, raffles and quiz nights. Southern Co-op members also hosted bake sales, pyjama days, face painting, walking challenges and summer fetes.

Southern Co-operative community investment manager Jessica Hughes said: “We have been blown away by this year’s activities and it is really special to know this money raised will make a tremendous impact on our local communities – be it a hospital, the environment or a school project.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to all of our customers and communities who got behind the fundraisers. With their help we will make a difference.”