CJ Lang & Son, owners and operators of Spar Scotland, raised more than £70,000 last year for local causes and charities.

It raised the money through the sale of single use carrier bags, charging customers 2p per bag, of which £6,000 of the proceeds went to The Scarlett Fund. Scarlett Dougan was born with a rare condition called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS). The right side of her heart is underdeveloped and therefore unable to pump enough blood to her lungs.

Scarlett’s parents, Nichola and Peter Dougan arranged a Charity Ball in Glasgow. The money raised will be split equally between the British Heart Foundation and Yorkhill Children’s Charity.

Nichola Dougan said: “This money will be used directly to not only help some of Scotland’s most sick children but also to aid research that will change the lives of people living with heart conditions.”

Spar’s charity initiative has been in place since 2008 and has already raised more than £300,000. The Scarlett Fund is just one of the 33 chosen charities across Scotland to feel the benefit.