A SOMERSET supermarket is backing a fundraising drive for a cancer charity - in memory of a brave two-year-old who died after battling leukemia.

Throughout October, Morrisons in Glastonbury will be supporting Ava’s Chain of Kindness, while fundraising to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer.

Ava’s Chain of Kindness is a campaign being run by the family of brave Ava Cottle, who sadly passed away on Mothering Sunday.

Wanting to give something back to Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children, who supported Ava and continue to support the Cottle family, Ava’s mum Cherry and her friend Sam created Ava’s Chain of Kindness to raise funds for the charity and spread kindness around the UK.

Individual teddy bears that are decorated by school children and Morrisons’ customers make up the chain, which is connected by each teddy bear holding hands.

Cherry and Ava’s dad Lee are hoping the Chain of Kindness will help children feel belonging and inclusion, connecting children of all ages and backgrounds from all areas of the UK.

The chain first started at Hunters Hall Primary School, Dagenham, where Ava’s brother, Huntley-Joe, aged 9, is a pupil.

The first bear in the chain was decorated by Ava herself, the day before she died.

Inspired to reach every child, Cherry is asking for supporters to visit their local Morrisons store to decorate and write a message on their very own teddy bear.

All chains will eventually be joined, connecting children from all over the country together.

Visit the Chain of Kindness’s Facebook page to follow its journey at https://www.facebook.com/Avas-chain-of-kindness-113900144118137 

Cherry is asking for a donation for each bear added to the chain, with all funds raised being donated to Young Lives vs Cancer, the children’s cancer charity that helped the Cottle family through the darkest of days.

Alison Hall Leitch, community champion at Morrisons Glastonbury, said: “We are proud to be supporting Ava’s Chain of Kindness this October, while also fundraising for Young Lives vs Cancer.

"Every pound raised and every teddy bear decorated helps Young Lives vs Cancer be there to help families in Somerset and around the UK cope following a devastating cancer diagnosis."

Becky Clements, fundraising and engagement manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “When cancer strikes young lives we fight tirelessly to limit the damage it causes beyond their health.

"We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work and so we can’t thank Cherry, Lee and Sam enough for their fantastic efforts.

“We were so sorry to hear about Ava – it’s really wonderful to see Cherry and Sam doing such a fantastic thing to connect children around the UK with the support of Morrisons colleagues and customers, creating something positive in Ava’s memory.

“Thanks to Cherry and Morrisons colleagues and customers, we will be able to help even more children and young people thrive, not just survive after their cancer diagnosis.”

To get involved with Ava’s Chain of Kindness email Young Lives vs Cancer Fundraising Manager Becky at Rebecca.clements@YoungLivesvsCancer.org.uk.

To support Ava’s family’s fundraising efforts go to https://www.justgiving.com/team/avacottlefund?fbclid=IwAR19vEnXZwkFa0MROsX3rXjovpRvQ607HkjGAnl1UfjNlqNFfIbxLSg0lWg