Pictured above: Ben Reid, Chief Executive of The Midcounties Co-operative, with colleagues Beverley Doughty, Karen Scott, Karen Whatling, Sinead Keogh and Faye Lovell  before the charity walk

Community retailer The Midcounties Co-operative has pledged to fundraise for and give practical support to its new charity partner Women's Aid.

The partnership was officially launched at a family fun day and charity walk which raised £6,000 for Women's Aid, the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.

Over the next two years Midcounties colleagues will raise money to support the charity's work nationally and ten local services that operate within its trading areas, including refuges at Wolverhampton, Walsall, Shropshire, Wyre Forest, Warwickshire, Wycombe, Oxfordshire, The Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire. They will also donate their time to volunteering projects and get involved in campaign work.

Maxine Sharman, Community Manager for The Midcounties Co-operative, said: "As a co-operative business with ethical values, working to help charities and organisations in our communities is very important to us.

"Women's Aid does amazing work and we are looking forward to giving it our whole-hearted support. Our colleagues chose this charity to help women and children start new lives free from abuse. We also want to raise awareness about domestic violence and its impact on families, communities and society as a whole.

"We are sure our colleagues, members and customers will get behind the initiative and make a real difference."

Nicola Harwin CBE, Chief Executive for Women's Aid, said: "We are delighted that The Midcounties Co-operative has chosen Women's Aid as its charity partner. Not only are the Midcounties colleagues incredibly committed to raising vital funds for Women's Aid's lifesaving services, but they will also increase awareness of domestic violence through their activities. We thank them for their wonderful support so far and look forward to working in partnership with them in the future."

Midcounties officially launched the partnership at its new headquarters in Warwick. More than 300 colleagues, family and friends joined in the fun day and 125 took part in a sponsored walk. The walkers, many of them in fancy dress, set off from Warwick Technology Park and then did as many laps as they could of a one mile circuit in nearby St Nicholas Park.

The Midcounties Co-operative businesses, including food stores, travel branches, pharmacies and childcare nurseries, will join in activities throughout 2011-20112 to support Women's Aid.