Supermarket staff from across Gwent have teamed up with their colleagues across Wales to raise over £50,000 for charity on a sponsored walk and in-store fundraising.

Tesco team members have been raising money for Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice and Cancer Research UK in store and also covered the 13-mile trek between Pontypool and Goytre Wharf on foot.

Colleagues from stores across Gwent were joined by Tesco teammates from Glamorgan, Clwyd, Powys and Dyfed last month to raise funds close to the hearts of the retailer’s family, reaching a grand total of £51,854.

Tesco store manager and regional community lead Paul Sherman said he was proud of his colleagues from across Wales.

“As a group of colleagues, we have worked extremely hard to raise much needed funds for Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice and Cancer Research UK,” he said.

“Our store Community Champions have worked tirelessly over recent weeks raising money through in-store events and dozens of colleagues turned up to walk the route from Pontypool to Goytre Wharf last Wednesday.”

“We chose Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice because they are a wonderful South Wales children's charity that support the families of children who have life shortening conditions, helping to make their lives as full as they can be. We couldn’t be prouder of our team for going the extra mile and raising money for two fantastic causes which help so many people across the local area and beyond.”

Both charities have received their large donations with thanks as colleagues split their grand total figure between Ty Hafan and Cancer Research UK, one of Tesco’s main charity partners.

Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice provides free care and support to children with a life shortening condition. The charity’s ambition is for a Wales where every child with a life-shortening condition lives a fulfilling life, supported with the compassion and specialist care they and their family need.

Community fundraising manager,Claire Horrex, said the charity will be able to support more children and families thanks to their support.

“It was a pleasure to work with Tesco colleagues across South Wales who worked so hard at their fundraising to raise such an amazing amount for Tŷ Hafan,” she said.

“One of our team was able to see the walkers off and said what a wonderful atmosphere there was. We are so grateful to be able to support more children and their families who need us because of this fundraising and hope to work with Tesco colleagues again in the future."

Meanwhile, Head of Partners at Cancer Research UK, Eve Mitchell, thanked Tesco colleagues for their contribution to funding cancer research.

“On behalf of everyone at Cancer Research UK, I wanted to say a huge thank you to all the Tesco colleagues involved for supporting our life-saving research by taking part in this walk. The money you raised will move progress forward towards a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Step by step, day by day, our researchers are making this vision a reality, but we couldn’t do it without you.”