Employees at drinks logistics company Tradeteam have raised £30,000 for charities across the UK.

The employees, from across its 28 distribution centres, walked, ran, climbed, decorated, mucked out and dressed up to raise £15,000 for local and national causes.

The final total reached £30,000 thanks to Tradeteam’s ‘raise and match’ scheme which automatically doubles any fundraising total submitted to the company’s corporate social responsibility team.

National charities to benefit from the funds raised during 2008 include – The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Prince of Wales Hospice, Children in Need and Marie Curie.

More locally based beneficiaries included young cancer sufferers on the Piam Brown Ward at Southampton General Hospital who received a Christmas donation of toys and games and High Hopes Riding for the Disabled whose centre was renovated and redecorated by Tradeteam staff.

Toni Clayton Regional HR Officer and head of corporate social responsibility Tradeteam, said: “Tradeteam realises the importance of having as positive impact as possible in the communities in which it operates.

“We wanted to show employees that we are serious about making a difference and that therefore if they were prepared to take time to raise funds for a cause close to their heart that we would match that figure penny for penny.

“We are thrilled that our employees have managed to raise so much money over the past 12 months. It’s testament to their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm for some very worthy charities. They have really made a difference to many people’s lives and this is something we are very proud of."