AXA Wealth staff played a vital part in helping the BBC’s Children in Need appeal soar to new heights.

Among those helping to man the phones for the BBC’s marathon appeal were 150 colleagues from Basingstoke who willingly gave up their free time.

They were bussed to AXA Wealth’s offices in Bristol, which was hosting one of the 55 UK call centres for BBC Children in Need.

In high spirits, and with several in fancy dress, the team took charity donations over the phone from 6.30pm until 12.30am.

The BBC’s Children in Need appeal raised nearly £26.8million on the night and £77,821 was pledged over the phone via the AXA Wealth call centre.

It’s been a big-hearted year for employees at the pensions and investment company based in Winterthur Way, Basingstoke, which won the Business and the Community Award at this month’s INSPIRE12 Business Awards.

Their fundraising efforts this year exceeded expectations with the latest figures announced as £134,000 – more than double last year’s amount.

Following an employee vote at the start of the year, a large proportion of money raised goes to support three hospices close to the company’s offices in Bristol, Coventry and Basingstoke – with St Michael’s Hospice receiving £30,000.

Paul Riddell, head of strategic communications, said: “AXA Wealth staff have raised money in all manner of ways for several charities, by completing marathons, taking part in exhilarating dragon boat races, swimming extreme lengths in swimathons and the Great North Swim, walking all through the night on midnight walks, cake sales, zumba classes and even a 24 hour firefighters’ ladder climb.

“The sum of £134,000 is a remarkable amount to raise. The challenges our staff have undertaken are both extraordinary and inspiring.”