KIND staff at Marks and Spencer Gemini and McDonalds have been raising money to support families through some of the toughest days of their lives.

The store has contributed more than £37,000 to Ronald McDonald House, which is based in the grounds of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where parents of sick children can stay while they are at their son or daughter’s bedside.

The money will go towards repairing laundry equipment, new beds and mattresses for the charity’s 84 bedrooms.

A spokesman from the charity said: “We are just so grateful for this amazing amount of money, without people like the staff and customers of Marks and Spencer, we really wouldn’t be able to support so many families.

“A large number of these families are from the Warrington area and this wonderful opportunity given to us has simply meant local people get to help their neighbours at one of the toughest times of their lives.”