SHOPPERS have donated £6,000 to checkout collections at Asda stores - launched by an employee at the company’s Halesowen branch in memory of murdered Leasowes schoolgirl Christina Edkins.

What began as a simple collection in the town’s Cornbow Centre Asda was quickly rolled out to Oldbury, Merry Hill, Quinton, Cape Hill, Perry Barr and Small Heath to help with funeral costs or for a memorial.

Sam Warby, community colleague at Halesowen’s Asda, launched the week-long appeal to help Christina’s family.

“It has been amazing how the community all pulled together,” said Mrs Warby, adding that £120 of the total came from Molly’s Baguette Bar, Oldbury.

She said: “I am mum, my boy is 21, but no mum should have to bury their child.

“At the moment the money is in a bank account until her family know what they need and what they want to do with it. I don’t want to put them under any pressure.”

Staff at the Halesowen and Dudley Asda stores are also planning a fundraising football match to boost the fund on Easter Sunday, March 31, at 7pm at Lye Football Club.

The players will donate £5 each and spectators will be able to make donations.

Mrs Warby said cheques could still be sent, made payable to the Asda Halesowen Charity Fund and addressed to the Community Colleague, ASDA Queensway, Halesowen, B63 4AD.

Other shops and pubs, including Tesco and Iceland stores in the Birmingham area have also collected money for Christina’s family.