EMPLOYEES of Swindon-based service Drivers Direct raised £2,500 for the NSPCC - enough to pay for a Childline counsellor's training.

They raised the money at the company’s annual charity ball in London, with employees each contributing through raffle prizes and activities. The team raised £1,250 and the company then matched the funds.

Gethin Roberts, owner and Managing Director at Drivers Direct, comments: “Each year the team selects a charity to support and this time we were delighted to support the excellent and important work that the NSPCC does. The team all had fun, gave generously and we’re pleased to be able to raise such a meaningful amount."

The company is one of the UK’s leading providers of temporary and permanent drivers to commercial organisations.

NSPCC community fundraising manager Janette Drew said: “We would like to thank Drivers Direct for their generosity in donating £2,500 to support our work in helping some of the most vulnerable children across the UK. "Our work depends so much on public donations, and it’s only through the efforts of companies and individuals like Drivers Direct that we can reach as many children as we do – whether through our schools service, Childline, Helpline or in our service centres helping children recover from things no child should ever have to endure.”

Established in 2002, Drivers Direct covers all driver classes, from chauffeurs and fork lift driver’s right through to LGV Class 1 and 2 drivers and supplies more than 1,100 drivers a week to clients from across the public and private sectors. The company currently has a network of 22 branches across the UK.