A hospital charity has thanked a north Kensington newsagent and its customers after its shop counter collection tin reached a landmark figure.

Money collected at DJ News in Ladbroke Grove for Friends of St Mary’s Hospital broke the £1,500 barrier in March.

Now the charity has presented shop owner Kirit Patel with a certificate to show its appreciation and thanks.

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He has had a tin collecting his customers’ small change and since a customer who was a patient at the Paddington hospital asked if he could help, and the boxes are emptied every few months.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We are very grateful to the staff and customers at DJ News for their continuing support and encouraged to record that this significant milestone has been reached – truly every penny counts.”