A HAVE-A-GO hero who was slashed in the chest and head by a fleeing shoplifter received a cheque to help boost bereavement services at a local hospice.

Scott Marshall, 50, who works at St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington, apprehended the thief, who was stealing a basketful of meat from Asda on Neasham Road in the town, last year.

He intervened after a member of Asda staff was shoved to the ground by the thief as she tried to stop him.

But the criminal produced a knife and slashed Mr Marshall in the head and stomach.

Jarydd Lewis, 29, pleaded guilty to four charges including wounding, theft, assault and knife possession before Teesside Crown Court shortly afterwards.

In the wake of the incident, the Asda manager applied to the company's charitable foundation to make a donation to St Teresa's Hospice to thank Mr Marshall for his efforts.

The Asda Foundation has now made a donation of £8,000 to the hospice which will help fully refurbish part of it, and allow its bereavement services to expand.

Mr Marshall said: "I was standing outside Asda when I saw the thief running with a basket of meat. A minute later a member of staff went after him to try to recover some of the goods.

"He pushed her to the ground, and I thought, I'm not having that. So I went over to try to stop him.

"Out of nowhere he pulled out a knife and I felt my head and it was bleeding. He had slashed my stomach and my head. He ran off and people came to help me.

"I was giving myself first aid, putting paper on my head to stop it bleeding. I had some treatment from the paramedics but my wife is a nurse so I didn't go to hospital. I was more worried about my wife, who was with me when it happened, because she had gone into shock and was shaking."

He said he was grateful to Asda for making the donation and hoped to put the incident behind him now.

St Teresa’s Hospice was founded in 1986 and is a registered charity which provides the palliative care to those suffering from life limiting illnesses completely free of charge. Extra services include day hospice, carers' support, counselling, and social work and bereavement services.

The hospice, whilst part funded by grant aid from the NHS, relies on charitable donations, fundraising events and support from community organisations and businesses to cover the £2m annual running costs.

The money donated by the Asda Foundation will go towards funding the complete refurbishment of two consultation rooms including stripping out, plastering, installing new electrics, new flooring and decoration.

Jane Bradshaw, chief executive at St Teresa’s Hospice, said: “It is important that we have an outstanding facility that is not only fit for purpose, but also user friendly and functional.

“It is incredibly beneficial to us as a community to work with and be supported by local businesses such as Asda.”

Julie Ward, Asda Foundation senior manager, said: “Supporting local applications such as St Teresa’s Hospice is really important to us – and we hope it will make a real difference within the local community in Darlington.”

To find out more about the Asda Foundation, or eligibility for submitting a funding application, please contact the Community Life Champion at your local Asda store, or go to: http://charities.asda.com/asda-foundation/