Manorlands is celebrating a massive coup for the Sue Ryder charity that runs the hospice.

The national organisation has been chosen by supermarket giant Morrisons as its new charity partner.

A huge range of fundraising activities will now be staged by staff at the company’s 500-plus stores across the country, including the outlet at Worth Way in Keighley.

Jubilant Sue Ryder bosses said the announcement was a major boost for the care provider, which opened its Oxenhope hospice 40 years ago.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Morrisons for choosing us,” said Heidi Travis, for the charity.

“We’re very excited to be working with such a fantastic company, and we’re committed to supporting customers and colleagues with their fundraising every step of the way.

“Together we’ll be able to give thousands of people the care they want at the end of their lives, supporting them and their families in the heart of their communities.”

And Hannah Taylor, regional fundraising manager at Manor-lands, said: “This partnership is brilliant news for the hospice and for Sue Ryder as a whole.

“We are looking forward to working with colleagues at Morrisons’ head office, factories and stores across the local area, inspiring them to raise funds.”

Morrisons staff chose Sue Ryder in a national ballot, with the organisation polling 42 per cent of votes.

Morrisons chief executive, Dalton Philips, said: “Working with Sue Ryder, we want to make a difference to families affected by terminal illness across the country. Our colleagues and customers always give so generously, and we are committed to raising millions of pounds through this partnership.”

The firm’s last charity partnership, which has just come to an end, raised £7 million over three years for Save the Children UK.

As part of the new link-up, Sue Ryder will establish Morrisons ‘community clinics’ – making services and care available for more families across the UK – and mobile units, providing advice. It will also launch family support teams.

Mrs Travis added: “At the heart of the partnership is a shared belief everyone should be able to get the care they want when they need it most, and that their families should be supported through the most difficult times.

“The money raised will enable us to provide thousands more people across the UK with access to the best possible care at the end of their lives in a place of their choice, surrounded by their loved ones.”