A HUDDERSFIELD supermarket has been helping fundraisers to bag cash for charity.

Sainsbury's at Shore Head allowed Andrew Cooke, 24 and girlfriend Joanne Asquith, 20, to pack bags in return for donations to the Cancer Research UK charity.

The pair - helped by family and friends - raised £518, which will go towards the £3,000 they are each trying to raise for a fundraising trek organised by the charity.

Andrew, of Flockton, and Joanne, from Newsome, must raise the cash to go to China in May 2006 for 10 days to complete a 60-mile walk along the Great Wall.

They will also be getting sponsorship for completing the walk itself.

The pair, who are both studying for degrees in youth and community work at Huddersfield University, each know someone who has been affected by cancer.

Joanne said: "Quite a few of our family members have been affected. I have also done voluntary work for the charity as it's close to my heart.

"I've never done anything like this trek before, though."

Andrew said: "It will be an experience. Sainsbury's have been brilliant to us and the public were very generous."

Andrew and Joanne will be bag-packing again on March 23, at Sainsbury's store in Market Street.

And Sainbury's employee Isabel Valat has also been working hard for Cancer Research UK - raising £8,000 in the past year.

Isabel, who works at the Shore Head store, signed up for a trek to Peru with the charity last March - just a month before her sister died of cancer.

Her fundraising target was £3,000 but she has smashed this and is aiming to raise £10,000 before completing the trek this May.

She said: "My sister set me out on this mission and it has helped me through the year. Some people stop at their target, but I want to raise as much as I can. I couldn't have done it without the support of everyone at the store."

Isabel has arranged in-store events, such as staff nights out, and has a charity fun-run planned for April 24.

Sainsbury's staff, including Shore Head manager Mike O'Hara, will complete a sponsored run from Shore Head to Sainsbury's at Brighouse.

Mr O'Hara said: "Everyone knows someone affected by cancer. We have events like the bag-packing every few weeks and our customers always give generously. We have 30,000 customers a week, so collections tend to be successful. We are happy to support things which benefit the community."

To help Joanne and Andrew with their appeal, visit www.justgiving.com/cancerchinatrek to give online or email joanneasquith2003@yahoo.co.uk

People can give to Isabel's appeal at the Shore Head store.