FANCY dress, balloon races and pedal power were all part of a Tadley store’s special day as it launched a support campaign for a local charity.

Staff at Sainsbury’s supermarket in Tadley raised more than £1,500 over three days to kick-start a year of fundraising in support of Heather House.

Customers at the Mulfords Hill store took part in various activities, including an X-Box challenge, a balloon race and teddy and bottle tombolas.

Hippies, an American footballer, Blues Brothers and a Mexican bandit were among outfits donned by staff on a management dress up day – drawing many comments from customers – and throughout the three-day launch, a static bike was positioned in the store with alternate people virtually pedalling their way to Bournemouth in return for sponsorship.

Jacquie Robe, store trainer, said: “We were really pleased with the launch. We didn’t expect to raise as much as that, especially as it poured with rain for our car wash.

“My colleague Amanda Bone did most of the cycling and we had separate raffles every day with prizes donated by Tadley companies.”

Heather House, run by charity SeeAbility, is a residential home offering 24-hour nursing and social care for 16 young adults with a visual impairment and complex disabilities. It supports young people with the life-limiting condition Juvenile Batten’s Disease.

The charity, which will benefit from the store’s fundraising activities throughout the next year, was chosen after customers nominated local suggestions. A colleague council narrowed it down to three and invited representatives to give a presentation, after which they selected Heather House.

Mrs Robe said: “It’s a local charity and the only one of its kind in the country. They would like to try to raise £12,000 for a garden room, which would be a more private place for residents to go when their families come to see them.

“We are looking at organising a 10km run and maybe a sponsored dog walk and lots of other events in the next 12 months.”

Sarah Kenrick, SeeAbility’s registered manager, said: “There is no doubt that the funds Sainsbury’s hope to raise will make a huge difference to all the young people who live at Heather House.”

More information about Heather House can be found at seeability.org.