NATIONAL estate agency Connells announces a bumper year of fundraising in 2018 for its chosen charity, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), raising nearly £27,000 for the cause.

A donation was presented to the NSPCC by Connells Estate Agency chief executive David Plumtree at Connells' head office in Leighton Buzzard.

The fantastic fundraising took many forms including the annual Connells Partner's Ball, branch bake sales, company dress down days and the 2018 Gherkin Challenge – where over 50 members of staff took on the 1,037 steps of the iconic London landmark.

This figure goes towards the £136,537 raised for the charity over the course of the 16 year partnership.

David Plumtree, Connells Group Estate Agency chief executive says: "Our partnership with the NSPCC is extremely important to us, and it's been great to see our colleague's band together to raise such an amazing amount this year supporting the crucial work that they do.

"We endeavoured to make this one of our best fundraising years yet, and, whilst we have achieved that, we won't be resting on our laurels and look forward to taking on new challenges to help many more children in need in the coming years."

Jacqui Venters, community fundraising manager at the NSPCC says: "Just amazing! Connells colleagues really pulled out all the stops this year. Nearly £27k was raised by 51 staff completing the NSPCC Gherkin Challenge in October 2018, funds raised by their head office supporting our 'Light For Every Childhood' Christmas campaign and through their annual Partners Ball.

"They are a fantastic company to work with who are so passionate about the work that we do to help protect children and young people. Thank you to everyone."

The NSPCC is the UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.

The charity runs a range of locally based services for children and families; campaigns to help change and improve the lives of children; runs a helpline for adults to call if they are concerned about a child; and provides ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline and online service for children and young people to call if they need help or advice.