A GENEROUS company recently helped to raise money for Helen and Douglas House from a Woodley charity shop.

The Invesco graduates raised £2,759 for the children's hospice as part of a challenge which saw them take over four different Helen and Douglas House shops, including the one in Crockhamwell Road, Woodley.

The other shops were based in Wallingford, Henley and Maidenhead, where the challengers competed to see which shop could increase the average daily takings the most.

Every Invesco employee is entitled to two annual volunteering days and the company strongly encourages every employee makes use of it to try something new for a good cause and an invigorating experience.

The Woodley team who took over the charity's shop included Paul Scott, Victoria Oginni and Gabriel Misson, who took £437.00 on the day.

The Henley shop team were the winners, taking £841.45 - a staggering 304.5 per cent increase on the average takings from the previous four weeks.

The Helen and Douglas House Retail Challenge gives businesses a great opportunity to have a team building day and make a difference to families with local terminally ill children and young adults at the same time.

Shahzaadee Adam, from Helen & Douglas House said: "I would like to say a huge thank you to the Invesco graduates for all their hard work raising so much money for us.

"The day was such a fun team building activity, but also importantly it raised £2,759 which is amazing.

"We rely on donations of goods to our shops and shoppers to buy goods from us to help raise the £3 million we need to look after local terminally children and their families every year.

"The money raised will provide vital care and support for these local families and will make a big difference to their lives."

Victoria Oginni, from Invesco’s graduate team and part of the Woodley team on the say, said: "It was a great way to spent time out of the office and engage with the community of Woodley to help raise money for a good cause."

Any company interested in taking part in this unique team building activity is asked to email Shahzaadee Adams at the charity at sadam@helenanddouglas.org.uk or call 01865 799150.