NORTHERN Rock staff have teamed up together to raise a further £6,000 for their chosen corporate charity, Samaritans.

As part of Samaritans’ national awareness day 24:7, a full day of fundraising was held at the bank’s Newcastle-based head office and across its branch network.

As well as paying a pound to dress down for the day, colleagues took part in a sponsored boot-camp, spinning, rowing and step classes, as well as having a go at the less demanding hula-hoop.

Staff from across the business donated books, DVDs, CDs and alcohol as tombola prizes, and some more lavish rewards which had been donated to the cause were also given away in a silent auction. One employee even busked at Northern Rock House while some of his colleagues washed their peers’ cars.

As well as entertainment however, staff laid on plenty of food to be sold, ranging from a Wimbledon-inspired strawberry-tea themed cake stall, to a booth full of Indian snacks including kebabs, bhajis and samosas.

All the foodstuffs on offer had been made by staff members themselves, and a manicurist was also on hand to treat them, donating a percentage of her profits to the cause.

The £3,000 raised will be matched by the Northern Rock Foundation.

The fundraising day was part of calendar of activities planned by the bank’s workforce to raise vital funds for Samaritans, the charity that provides confidential support for people who are feeling down, unhappy, anxious or are struggling to cope.

Funds raised from the day will be put towards a project to update Samaritans’ contact systems – Samaritans Connect.

This pioneering system will allow the charity to answer 100,000 more calls each year, helping people in the North-east, as well as all around the UK and Ireland.

Charity and Community Coordinator at Northern Rock, Estelle Vasey, said: “The team spirit we have here at Northern Rock was tangible and so many people came forward with ideas for how they could support the day and how they could contribute their own skills and talents.

“Samaritans has captured the imaginations of all our colleagues who feel passionately that they want to do their bit to assist such a worthy cause.”

Rachel Kirby-Rider, Director of Fundraising at Samaritans, said: “It is really impressive to see the effort that has been put in by Northern Rock staff to make this year’s 24:7 a real triumph.

“What a fantastic achievement raising over £6,000 for Samaritans – thank you all so much.

“ Funds raised will help us answer thousands more calls from people who might not have anywhere else to turn.”