ST ROCCO’S Hospice has received a boost as one of Warrington’s biggest employers Asda Logistics officially announced them as their charity partner.

The distribution centre, based on Dallam Lane, has been helping out with food and drink supplies for fundraising events for the last few years but the new partnership will see support for the hospice increase.

In July 2016, the supermarket's new distribution centre in Burtonwood opens its doors seeing an influx of new employees who will all be encouraged to support St Rocco’s through playing their lottery, getting involved in fundraising events and volunteering their time to help the hospice.

The organisation is kicking off the new partnership by supporting the St Rocco’s tree collection, providing cabs and units along with volunteers to help collect the trees and transport them to their final destination.

Craig Taylor, senior director of food south, has also become one of the first dancers to sign up for Strictly St Rocco’s 2016 in a public show of support for the charity.

He said: “I was born and bred in Warrington, and have been touched by St Rocco’s personally so I’m glad to be able to use my influence within Asda.

"We are such a big organisation in the town so it’s important we are giving something back to the community.

"The cultures within both Asda and St Rocco’s are similar so it’s great that we can work together to meet the needs of others.”

Alison White, clinical lead at St Rocco’s, added: “With more of our services reaching into the community we are becoming a hospice without walls and as Asda are a key part of that community, we are delighted to be developing our relationship further.

"All of our corporate partnerships are really important and we hugely value the support of Warrington’s business community.”