MIDLANDS BUSINESSMAN INVENTS PROBLEM-SOLVING GADGET THAT INSPIRES PEOPLE TO GIVE TO CHARITY

Ever struggled with where to put your fragile and breakable groceries once you've filled your trolley with heavy boxes and tins? Well, a Derbyshire businessman has the answer - and it's all in the name of charity.

Chris Massey, managing director of Beresford's Flooring in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, has invented many award-winning products for use in the construction industry over the past 20 years.

Now, he's turned his attention to inventing products that benefit charities and has designed a revolutionary new product that offers the perfect solution to an everyday shopping dilemma.

Chris has spent the past two years developing the ‘Charity Carrier', which is set to change the way we pack and carry our supermarket shopping.

The ‘Charity Carrier' is a small, lightweight handle that unfolds easily to fit on to the outside of most shopping trolleys, allowing multiple bags to be hung from its hooks and separating lighter, more fragile groceries from heavier or bulkier items, which can be placed directly into the trolley, then straight into the boot of your car without having to push around and damage the more fragile items.

The lighter items that have been hung onto the outside of the trolley can then be placed on top of the heavier items straight after loading.

When shopping in the discount supermarkets, you can pre-place your bags on the charity carrier so they can be placed straight into the bags as soon as your items have been scanned at the checkout. Or if you scan and pack, you can place your carrier bags straight onto the Charity Carrier.

Another benefit of hanging some bags on the outside of the trolley is that items can be easily segregated, helping to prevent cross-contamination.

The Charity Carrier features an ergonomic design - when folded, it is no bigger than an Iphone and fits easily into your pocket and when unfolded its comfortable handle spreads the weight of multiple bags, making them much easier to carry. The built-in removable trolley token saves shoppers the hassle of looking for a pound coin for the trolley.

The Donna Louise Children's Hospice is the first charity to benefit from Chris' latest invention. Chris has branded the Charity Carriers for the charity, which will be on sale for £2.99 in the charity's three fundraising shops in Stoke-on-Trent, Leek and Hanley.

It is hoped that local supermarkets throughout the Midlands will stock this unique charity item, which will raise desperately needed funds for charity at the same time as simplifying the shopping process and speeding up the time spent at the checkout.

Chris is also lending his problem-solving experience to support other local charities, with the creation of Brilliant Ideas, which invents, patents and manufactures new and original products that assist or donate to charity organisations across the UK.

Commenting on the launch of the ‘Charity Carrier', Chris Massey said:

"I have always enjoyed fundraising for local charities, which is actually what I was doing when I came up with the idea for the ‘Charity Carrier'.

"I was helping with a Scout charity bag pack at a local supermarket when I noticed the difficulties that shoppers were having when they tried to pack their bags. I realised I could design a simple product that would solve this problem and raise money for charity too.

"After almost two years of perfecting the product, the ‘Charity Carrier' has been officially launched and I couldn't be happier. Not only does each carrier sold help you with your weekly shop, it will also raise vitally needed funds for The Donna Louise Children's Hospice."

Liz Gratton, Director of Income Generation commented:

"It's wonderful that a local inventor has chosen us to benefit from such a unique product. Chris has channelled so much enthusiasm into this project which could change the way we pack our shopping forever as well as making a difference to the children and families across Staffordshire and Cheshire who us our services."

TheDonna Louise Children's Hospiceis a Staffordshire-based charity, which provides care and support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families across Staffordshire and Cheshire.

The Charity Carrier is only available through registered charities. For moreinformation, visitwww.charitycarrier.com.

If you are a supermarket manager, call Chris Massey on 01335 345111 to introduce this product into your store and helpchildren with life-limiting conditionsenjoy a more fulfilled life.

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