London (Prince of Wales) DistrictEaling Division celebrates boost from generous shoppers

There's plenty to smile about for the members of St John Ambulance in Ealing, after customers at one supermarket helped swell their coffers.

Chosen by the public

Unit Leader of Ealing Division receiving the cheque.

As part of the Community Matters scheme staged by Waitrose supermarket chain, the Ealing Division of St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales’s) District has benefited from a £450 donation.

The scheme, which runs throughout the UK, sees shoppers select the charity they would like to donate to, by placing tokens in a labelled slot at the checkout counter.

Given its impressive work in the Ealing area, in providing first aid at events and teaching community first aid, Ealing Division found itself the preferred recipient from recent weeks of shopping activity.

A cheque was presented to Gerald Newns, Unit Leader of Ealing Division by the store’s customer service staff.

'I'm delighted to accept this generous sum of £450,' he said. 'We work very hard within the community to provide a good service at all kinds of events, and clearly shoppers at Waitrose felt they wanted to acknowledge that.

He added: 'There are a large number of members within the Ealing Division who give up their time week after week on a voluntary basis and often on top of busy careers and family lives. This donation is therefore a real tribute to them and to the way they so effectively represent our organisation.'