SUPERMARKET staff from across Worcestershire joined up to walk across the Malvern Hills, raising money for a children’s hospital.

Matthew Chivers and his colleagues walked from Ledbury to Worcester along the hills for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where his daughter’s life was saved.

He said: “This Saturday, myself and 21 other co op members of staff from the Worcestershire stores did a 22-mile walk over the Malvern hills from Ledbury to Worcester in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital, who helped save my daughters life last July giving her open heart surgery.

"We have raised over £7,000 already but hope we can reach our target of £10,000.”

On July 20 last year, baby Marnie Chivers entered the world and shortly after began to need extra respiratory support, being transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed undergoing heart surgery on July 29.

Mr Chivers added: “Thanks to the amazing work of the whole team at the Hospital, especially the doctors and nurses on Ward 11 and surgeon Dr Kahn and her Consultant Dr Dillon, Marnie came through surgery and on a August 5, we were able to take baby Marnie home to properly join the family.

“This is just one example of the amazing work that Birmingham Children Hospital does.

"Many of us have loved ones that would not be with us if it wasn’t for the amazing work they do.

"This is our way of saying thanking you for everything they did for baby Marnie and the Chivers family, and for the thousands of other families they have and continue to help.

"Your support and donations will help empower the hospital team to take innovative approaches to treating some of the sickest children in the UK.

"It will enable them to make the hospital feel just like home.

"Your donations are helping to find new ways to treat and cure childhood diseases.”

To donate and for more information, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/coop-team-ce0208