Generous customers and staff at Sainsbury’s Bridgemead store have raised £1,000 for Swindon Advocacy Movement (SAM).

The store handed over the money yesterday morning to the Swindon-based charity, which supports people with learning difficulties, Asbergers and Autism. Staff raised the money through collections and grants.

Neil Laver, store manager, said: “We wanted to do something to support SAM.

“I know someone who’s worked there for some time. They deal with children with behavioural difficulties.

“What I didn’t know was how much SAM does with adults with learning disabilities.”

It was only after happening across an article on the Swindon Advertiser website about the charity, which has been running for almost 22 years, that the store decided to act.

Dad-of-three Neil, who has been store manager for six months, said: “I happened to just read the article, because it was the same day Oxford United came to Swindon. I was looking through the headlines reminiscing about my youth.

“A number of us had seen the article about SAM. It was towards the end of the financial year and we had some money available. I spoke to our colleague council and we decided to support them.”

Staff at the Paddington Drive Sainsbury’s store gave the charity £1,000 from money raised over the last year. The store says it raises ‘thousands’ for charity every year.

SAM, which is based on Sandford Street in the town centre, provides advocacy services to adults and young people in Swindon living with learning disabilities, Asbergers and Autism. The charity helps people living with these conditions live more independent lives.