KIND hearted staff at a local business have helped to boost funds for Prospect Hospice.

Employees in the Zurich Financial Services’ human resources department donated more than 40 bags of good quality items for the hospice to sell in some of its 12 local shops.

The impressive collection came about after staff from across the insurance firm were asked to take part in a range of activities for several good causes at the start of the month.

It was part of the charity arm’s Zurich Community Trust Challenge Programme 2011.

The human resources team, which had been challenged to donate 25 bags of stock, easily exceeded all expectations and this week, Prospect Hospice’s shop van called on them to collect the highly valuable cargo for distribution in the shops.

Ann Fisher, from the Zurich HR team, said: “We achieved the target easily because so many of the staff here appreciate the work of Prospect Hospice.

“The target was to give 25 full bags by the end of May, and we had already surpassed that number – in fact, we had almost doubled it – by the middle of the month.”

Prospect Hospice’s head of retail Charly Rich said: “We are thrilled that the team at Zurich has given so generously in support of our work, and that so many have completed our new look stickers, which means that we can reclaim the tax on the value of the items through Gift Aid.

“We will quickly ensure that we distribute the stock to our shops across the region, and that the money raised will go towards the care of the patients and families we welcome to the hospice.

“We thank everyone at Zurich who has supported the work of Prospect Hospice through generously donating these items to us.”

For more information visit www.prospect-hospice.net.