Huge donation from supermarket shoppers over seven years

When a collection trolley was installed in the Sainsbury’s store in Shirley it was only supposed to be a temporary move.

But seven years later, it has never been empty since. Shoppers have filled 800 large trolleys with cat and dog food and pet toys, which have been donated to the Stubbington Ark, in Fareham.

The store’s PR ambassador Mandy Collinson began the campaign in October 2006 when the Ark approached the store to appeal for food.

Now residents fill one and sometimes two trolleys a week.

She said she had seen people regularly donate items on their weekly shop and others who come into the store specifically to drop things off.

“I’m very proud of it,” she said. I think it’s wonderful, I think they really do make a difference.”

Vanessa Eden, fundraising manager at the Stubbington Ark, which presented the store with a trophy and certificate in thanks, said: “The response from Shirley shoppers has been absolutely fantastic.”