Staff at Masterleases's office in Birmingham went the extra mile to raise money for Children in Need on Friday (19 November), with one colleague cycling 120 miles to work from his home in Wandsworth, south London - setting off at 4am and arriving at his desk a little later than usual!

Following this year's theme of 'show your spots, let's raise lots', over £3,500 was generated by playing games of giant Twister and encouraging a day of "star spotting" by dressing up as famous icons. There were also 101 Dalmatians keeping an eye out for terrible Cruella De Villes roaming the building and one eyed pirates getting soaked in the stocks.

In addition, Dominic Moran, head of strategic and corporate accounts, swapped his business suit for lycra in order to cycle to International House near Birmingham Airport. He arrived just after 2.30 pm after avoiding the motorways and enduring three punctures, as well as the inevitable saddle soreness!

Peter Tatlock, managing director at Masterlease, said: "We've been raising money for Children in Need for 10 years now and it's become a date in the diary that everyone looks forward to. It was a great theme this year that we could have some real fun with and we were delighted to see everyone show their support.

"The total raised this year will go a long way to helping disadvantaged children and young people across the UK and we are proud to be a part of it."

In the last 18 months, Masterlease employees have raised over £15,000 for local charities.