Award-winning car supermarket CarShop has launched new charity programme to raise funds for charities in the Norwich area.

CarShop Cares works towards consolidating charity efforts, and really brings to life all the commendable work across the company. CarShop colleagues have always actively supported charities with much of the fund raising by individuals and teams across the business.

Facilitated by the accolade of the Investors in People Silver Standard accreditation, the retailer's strategy to align corporate and individual charity goals prompted a number of significant changes within the company. It was decided that the business would give £1 for each of the 25,000 cars sold each year contributing to the CarShop Cares programme, alongside the announcement of an annual budget to support a series of fund-raising events and initiatives throughout the year.

Every colleague can now also take an extra paid day off to support charity work.

Most of the fund raising will support one national charity but there is scope for the retail stores to support local ones too with a £1 donation for every car sold and customers selecting their chosen charity in-store.

Global's Make Some Noise is the national charity because it has a very local presence and aids small charities which don't necessarily have the funding needed to support marketing campaigns to generate vital donations.

In Norfolk, Global's Make Some Noise, uniting some of the best-loved radio stations in the UK, is supporting The Hamlet, a charity focusing on improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and complex health needs.

Leo Nelson, CarShop marketing director, said: 'This is an exciting time for CarShop and we're very much looking forward to uniting as one team in support of the CarShop Cares programme in the coming months. This programme really pays testament to how the shape of business has changed though continual investment, innovation and evolution, and dedication to the customer and the communities local to our stores.

'I'm particularly thrilled that colleagues from all parts of the business have had a hand in developing this programme, as well as being keen to have their say on which charities they want to support.'

Last year Global's Make Some Noise awarded more than £1.4m to projects across the UK and this year it is supporting 33 small charities.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has been nominated as the independent local beneficiary by CarShop Norwich. The unit provides care for babies in intensive care, high dependency or the special care areas of the unit. It receives babies from across the region and further afield.

Louise Cook, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's fund-raising manager, said: 'Every penny that goes to our NICU Fund, part of the hospital charity, will help to improve the experience of our babies and their families in our care. Our NICU looks after more than 900 poorly and premature babies every year and charitable donations help us go above and beyond the care received from the NHS. This support will help make a real difference.'

For more information on CarShop Cares visit www.carshop.co.uk