SCOTMID supermarkets have raised £136,000 at the half-way stage of its year-long fundraising partnership with NSPCC Scotland.

Staff and customers at local branches, including Cumnock and New Cumnock, have been relentless with their fundraising over the last six months.

Activities included in-store raffles for Christmas hampers and also the sale of festive air fresheners.

The target is to raise £300,000, which will allow Childline to answer around 75,000 calls, emails and online messages from children and young people who need someone to listen to them.

Elaine Chalmers, head of Childline for Scotland, said: “Scotmid have done amazingly well in their fundraising efforts. This money will go towards helping and supporting more children and answering more contacts.”

John Brodie, chief executive of Scotmid, added: “Congratulations to everyone, who has been involved in this first key stage of our fundraising drive.

“Once again our fundraising has been a real team effort involving staff, members and customers.”