Charity fundraiser by Horsham M&S

Those visiting and working at the store in Swan Walk raised the sum in three months through donations for bag packing, a raffle and a countertop collection.

Action Medical Research, which has its main offices in North Parade, Horsham, has spent more than £110 million since it was founded in 1952, helping support some amazing medical breakthroughs that have helped save thousands of children’s lives and changed many more.

Some of the work it previously supported is now commonplace in medical care, such as the vaccines for polio and rubella, the use of ultrasound scanning in pregnancy and the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida.

It is currently supporting research into meningitis, Down syndrome, epilepsy and premature birth, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

Paula Ray, Action Medical Research’s Community Fundraising Manager for London and the south-east, said: “We’re grateful to all the staff and customers at Horsham M&S who helped to raise this money which will help save and change the lives of sick babies and children.”

Peter Powell, store manager at M&S Horsham, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to present Action Medical Research with the results of our fundraising, which forms part of M&S’ Plan A commitment to support the local community.

“We’re all very passionate about the children’s charity and I’ve been really proud of how motivated the team has been in its efforts to generate vital funds for this cause. We hope our donation will help contribute to the important research that the charity supports.”

For further information on how to support Action Medical Research please visit www.action.org.uk

Report and picture contributed by Action Medical Research.