INVERCLYDE shoppers have helped an award-winning Wemyss Bay butcher's shop raise more than £6,000 for the district's beloved Ardgowan Hospice. 

McCaskie's - named recently as UK Butcher of the Year - constantly displays collection tins for the hospice and when customers buy carrier bags they are encouraged to place the payments in the charity cans. 

The team at the hospice added together the amounts deposited in the cans since 2018, and were thrilled to discover that an incredible £6,000 has been donated. 

Helen Ovens, wife of McCaskie's owner Nigel, said she was very proud of the customers for raising such an amazing amount of money. 

She added: "We always like to rattle our tins and raise money for the hospice. 

"Every time someone buys a carrier bag, we make sure the money goes into the tins and not through the tills. 

"People are always happy to donate when they know it's going to the hospice. 

"It's an amazing organisation and the team do so much fantastic work across Inverclyde. 

"We want to say a huge 'thank-you' to all of our customers for their support."

Leonna Gallacher and Laura Wilson from the Ardgowan Hospice fundraising team helped count up the five-year total. 

Leonna explained that McCaskie's hand in two or three tins every couple of months. 

She added: "We want to recognise McCaskie's as one of our most successful can collectors and say a huge 'thank-you' to the shop and to everyone who put their money into the cans. 

"People often don't realise how much these tins can hold and how much they can amount to over the years.

"It really is a phenomenal amount of money and will make a huge difference to us."

*The team at Ardgowan Hospice are looking for more businesses to become can collectors. 
To find out more email fundraising@ardgowanhospice.org