Your Stories

Well done to my store team for winning the Text Santa incentive in December.....we've won 2 tickets to go back stage at 'This Morning' on ITV .....well done and thanks to you all for getting behind these initiatives (its the second time we've won :)))

Broadstairs home shopping team pulled out all the stops to raise money for this years Text Santa Campaign.

Our delivery drivers dressed up as Santa's for their deliveries and gave out leaflets explaining how our customers and colleagues could donate to this fantastic new event.

We also had a display in our foyer where children had great fun with our Santa photo stand.

Well done everyone.

Community colleague Jacquii, joined by colleagues Katy, Michael and Elizabeth, were lucky enough to attend the Text Santa show.
The show was recorded 'as live' in readiness for Christmas eve, as all the celebrities involved were doing so volunteraly, and so parts were recorded around their schedules.
The colleagues were treated to a fantastic night, hosted by Ant and Dec, and appeared on the show. Jacquii even had a bit of a flirt with Dec himself. They also had the chance to see Mark Wright from TOWIE, Lulu, Lional Blaire, members of Mcfly and Chesney Hawkes to name a few.
It was an absolutely amazing experience that will never be forgotten.

The Something2do mother and toddler group invited colleagues Jacquii, Michael, Sandie and Katy to run a Text Santa party at one of their sessions.
Beverly, organiser of the group, arranged craft activities and party food for the toddlers - whilst Asda colleagues, in full fancy dress entertained the children with party games and dances. This was follwed by a visit from Santa where they received a small gift and a photo.
Charity buckets were on the tables for parents to make small donations, and colleagues were given the oppotunity to talk to parents about the charity - raising awareness.
Representatives from the local newspapers were also in attendance, raising the profile for both Asda Gravesend and the Text Santa charity.

Colleagues at Asda Gravesend held a prize draw for the Text Santa appeal.

Customers and colleagues were invited to send a text to the charity, and for each pound donated, they were entered into a prize draw to win tickets to the Gravesend Woodville Halls pantomime. There was also a star prize of a framed Text Santa t-shirt signed by all 12 members of Diversity.
We started the prize draw in store, and colleagues, managers and even the local CPSO's joined in by showing their support in their Text Santa hats and t-shirts. We then went on to a local christmas fayre - where we were entertained by a local school choir before setting up for the afternoon.

The pantomime tickets were won by couple Lisa and Mark Gordon, who later donated them to Demelza house , and the t-shirt was won by James Cherry.

ITV's Text Santa hosted a world record attempt at the Kia Oval for the largest gathering of Santas - colleagues from Asda Gravesend were fortunate enough to attend.
Community Colleague Jacquii was invited to be an offical witness to the event - along with community colleagues Wayne Brown (store 4903) and Angie Murffet (store 4938). Gravesend Colleagues Michael Downes and Katy Lavender also came - dressed in their Santa suits to be a part of the world record attempt itself.
Unfortunately, they didnt get the 13200 santas they needed for the record, but the day was still incredible.
Jacquii was treated to lunch in one of the Kia Ovals executive suits, and was lucky enough to get the dance group Diversity to sign her Text Santa t-shirt - to be raffled off in store to raise money for the charity.
Following this, everyone was taken into the arena, where Diversity - joined by Stephen Mulhern, entertained the "santas" and taught everyone a dance routine to the song "Santa Clause is Coming to Town", before taking the time to talk to people and pose for photos.
Michael and Katy were then interviewed by Londons Heart FM about the Text Santa charity.
A fantastic experience was had by all who attended

Edinburgh's iconic Walter Scott monument was the scene for a Text Santa support group, when colleagues from Asda Chesser went along to raise awareness for this charity's cause.

Walter Scott donned his own hat, however next year it will need to be a little bigger! Community Life colleague, Linda Anderson, Petra Merriman and Claire Black braved the windy conditions on Princes Street to join in the fun.

All colleagues along with All Saints Catholic School in Golborne were involved with the Text Santa campaign.

Boldon had a great time when it lanched Text Santa in store, colleagues and customers really got behind the Fundraising.

Store Manager, Dawn Belcher, proudly displays the cheque for the money which was raised for ITV's Text Santa appeal. Thank you to everybody who sold (and bought) hats,T-shirts, bags for life and helped with raising the £1,344.80 cash donation.

Store Manager, Dawn Belcher, proudly displays the cheque for the money which was raised for ITV's Text Santa appeal. Thank you to everybody who sold (and bought) hats,T-shirts, bags for life and helped with raising the £1,344.80 cash donation.

We had a great Christmas in store, not only from record sales but also from everything accociated with the festive season. Everything kicked off with our Colleague Christmas party early December followed by the launch of Christmas with carol singers and the lighting up of the store Christmas Tree - voted by many customers as the best in town (and it was!) We launched our Toy Appeal and the response saw the donation of over 250 gifts which were distributed by Home Start to children and families in our community. Text Santa was a big success with the Santa Hats selling well and of course the arrival of the real Santa outside the store really topped it all - driving around the car-park in his new open top red car he arrived at his purpose built Grotto and stayed with us for 4 days much to the delight of kids and many adults - whilst he was here we helped the Lions Club raise £2,000 for the local hospice. Never did our store look more Festive and the visit by a few Directors (by helecopter!) was a huge success - we go into 2012 with much enthusiasm!!

Asda choir giving a few more carols in aid of Text Santa charity.

Here is a small selection of photos from different events over the festive period in the Hartlepool store. Our annual store christmas lunch was held over 2 days with over 400 colleagues attending in total. We also had great fun promoting the Text Santa Appeal with Mrs Claus and her elf selling the Text Santa Hats at the front of the store. We also helped a local homeless charity with food donations alongside another business in the town.

On Christmas Eve our front end shift section leader Chris dressed up as santa to charm the local children and get everyone in the festive spirit. Along with the other colleagues he was raising money for Text Santa.