A March supermarket has launched its charity of the year partnership with Magpas Air Ambulance.

The air ambulance was chosen by customers through a public vote in-store and online in June.

The charity will now receive a year’s worth of support through fund raising and awareness-raising from the store.

Representatives from the charity joined Sainsbury’s colleagues to kick start the partnership with an awareness stand.

James Holden from Magpas Air Ambulance, said: “Thank you to everyone who came to support us.

“We’re looking forward to working with the store over the next year and hope to fundraise for some new equipment for the Magpas medical team at our operational base so that they are comfortable whilst on their twelve hour, often voluntary, shifts.”

Magpas Air Ambulance is a charity that brings crucial lifesaving care by land and air to patients in life-threatening emergencies, in the East of England and beyond.”

Tom Niblock, store manager at Sainsbury’s, said: “We had a very successful launch .

“Seeing first-hand the operation they have and all the great work they do, it encourages me more to get behind them by doing everything we can in store with our great colleagues to make a difference.

“I would also like to thank all our customers for their support. ”

The local charity scheme is now in its eighth year and has raised more than £11 million to support local charities since 2009.