Supermarkets across west Suffolk have united to support the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign in the run-up to Christmas.

The appeal has already received the generous support from staff and customers at Sainsbury’s in Bury St Edmunds and Mildenhall after both stores chose the campaign as their charity of the year.

Both stores will be offering prizes for the West Suffolk Hospital Charity Christmas Auction in December while staff in Bury St Edmunds last week presented the campaign with a cheque for £500 as the first part of their year-long fundraising.

Paula Shaw, PR ambassador at the store, said: “We were delighted to be able to hand over a cheque for £500 towards our local charity partner, the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign.

“We thank our customers and colleagues here at Sainsbury’s Bury St Edmunds for their continued support.” Further supermarket support came last Friday when an awareness stand and collection took place inside Bury’s Asda store between 10am and 4pm.

More than £100 was raised, taking the appeal total so far to just over £20,000.

Dave Gooderham, fundraising manager at West Suffolk Hospital Charity, said: “The support we have received from so many supermarkets is in keeping with the generosity and goodwill we have had from across our kind-hearted community.

“Most importantly, the campaign is now making a direct difference to the support and care we offer to patients with dementia and their families inside the hospital.

“The first phase of the fundraising was the opening of a day care room on ward G4. This has already made a huge difference, with patients having a calming area away from the hospital environment.

“There have even been reports of some patients using the room to brush up on their ballroom dancing.

“Further reminiscence training for staff, volunteers and partner organisations will be held in the near future while exciting plans for a very special memory walk is taking shape.”