EMPLOYEES from NPower have been backing National Volunteers Week by supporting fundraising activities in the county.

A group of 10 eager volunteers from the city office of the energy firm headed to the recent Crowngate Ladies Day at Worcester Racecourse selling raffle tickets to the huge crowds to raise funds for St Richards Hospice.

Among the Npower volunteers was Jon Mann, known for being a recent joint winner of this year’s Coach Trip. The team, who have attended the event for the sixth year running, helped raise an impressive £4,660, which Npower matched collecting a grand total of £9,320 for the hospice.

Volunteers from the firm also helped out at Worcester Animal Rescue Shelter providing their gardening and painting skills.

Tim Bailey, from Npower, said: “We had a great day volunteering at the shelter.

"We spent the day battling through nettles and weeds, brightening up storage spaces with a lick of paint, clearing the dog training paddocks and chicken runs in readiness for some new arrivals.

“As a company we regularly take part in fundraising and charity events, and we also feel it’s important for us to stay connected to our local communities in which we live in."