Staff at the Co-operative Food store in Calne have come top of the charts in their bid to raise funds for the Carers Trust, the UK’s largest charity for carers.

The store, in Mill Street, has raised £4,354 for the charity through raffles and themed events, more than any other shop in the South West region.

Duty manager Julie Edwards said staff had organised quiz nights, cake sales and a sponsored walk along the Devizes canal.

She said: “We’re really pleased. It’s been great, everyone has really supported it. It does show a bit of community spirit, the customers have been fantastic.

“We thought the Carers Trust was really worthwhile. We did have a vote – there were three different charities and this one came out with the most votes.

“This year we haven’t been given a charity so we’re going to do a couple. The Alzheimer’s Society is the one we’ve started on.”

All Co-operative Food stores were urged to raise money for Carers Trust after it was selected as the business’ charity of the year for 2013.

An estimated 500,000 14 to 25-year-olds in the UK care for a family member or friend and over the UK the Co-operative Group has raised more than £6m for the charity.

The money will allow Carers Trust to provide much-needed breaks, information, advice, support and services for the country’s young adult carers.

George Smith, operations manager for the Co-operative, said: “Special thanks goes to the team in Calne, who have shown commitment and dedication to come out on top in our local charts.

“None of this would have been possible without the continued support of our customers, so we must extend our appreciation to them. Their donations will make a real tangible difference to the lives of young carers.”