Andrew Mitchell, MP for Sutton Coldfield, visited Sainsbury\'s Mere Green on Friday 10th January as the team highlighted their community plans for 2014. He met with colleagues to find out how the store supports their Local Charity Partner, the ‘Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets’. The Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets was announced back in June as the store\'s Local Charity partner, following customer votes in May. So far this year, the partnership has raised over £8,000 thanks to fundraising events including book sales, tombola\'s, bag packing, a textile collection and a very successful festive season with the sale of hand knitted Christmas puddings that added £1,500 towards the total money raised. The charity will be back in the store on 14th February for Valentine’s Day fundraising. All the money raised during the year will go towards helping the charity with much needed repairs to the unit in Stonehouse Lane, the purchase of new equipment and further trips. The team also spoke to Andrew Mitchell about the Active Kids scheme, which is set to launch again on the 29th January. Customers can once again help schools, groups and clubs across Sutton Coldfield collect vouchers to help registered organisations order equipment and experiences. Mark James, Deputy Store Manager, said: “Sainsbury’s prides itself on being a great place to work and we were proud to show Andrew how active we are in the local community.” Andrew Mitchell added “It was good to meet the team at Sainsbury’s Mere Green and learn more about their plans to support the local community. Their support of the Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets provides the Cadets with excellent opportunities”.