‘fantastic support from our readers’

Our charity appeal is one of three local causes vying for a grant through Asda’s Chosen By You, Given By Us scheme.

It gives customers at the supermarket’s Dewsbury store the chance to top up the fund – and it won’t cost them a penny.

All they need to do is ask for a green voting token at the till and drop it in the Reporter Series Fund slot at the Dewsbury Community Life stand on their way out.

Reporter Series editor Hannah Ridgeway said: “We’ve had fantastic support from our readers and shoppers visiting the store so far.

“It’s been really encouraging to see the number of votes cast for the fund steadily rising, but we need a final push now before voting closes on April 30.”

Money raised by our fund goes to four charities – Kirkwood Hospice, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, One Community and Asthma UK.

Reporter Series staff are doing their bit for the charity appeal by taking part in various fundraising events.

Media sales consultant Russ Cowling competed in the recent World Coal Carrying Championship in Gawthorpe and reporter Joe Cooke will tackle the Brian Robinson Challenge later this month.

Meanwhile, sports reporter Jamie Presland is training for the first ever Yorkshire Marathon in October. He has also signed up to the Leeds 10k with colleagues Georgina Morris and Russ Cowling.

Miss Ridgeway said: “It’s wonderful to see the team getting behind the appeal.

“Now we’re hoping local businesses, schools, sports clubs and community groups will lend us their support by hosting their own events.

“It doesn’t have to mean signing up for a marathon or cycling 75 miles – it could be something as simple as holding a bake sale or raffle, or organising a non-uniform day.

“We’d welcome any support our readers can give to help us raise as much as possible for these great causes.”