Pictured above: Pertemps People Development Group fundraisers enjoy specially commissioned Macmillan cakes courtesy of Scarlet's Scrummy Cupcakes

Raising thousands of pounds for a national cancer charity was the icing on the cake for workers.

Hundreds of staff at fifteen offices of employment experts Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) - including across Birmingham, Sandwell, Coventry and Warwickshire - joined in a variety of fundraising activities to support the World's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, collecting more than £2,000.

They included Karen Baldyga, in Leamington Spa, who encouraged the company's Flexible New Deal clients to run a coffee and cake stall during an event to promote employment opportunities at Bath Place Community Venture. The event raised £294.

Meanwhile, PPDG employees in York secured prizes from local businesses and ran a raffle which raised a further £400. In Hereford, staff staged a bingo evening at the Hereford Welsh Social club, where the charity ended the night another £400 to the good, said PPDG's PR manager Phil Pemble.

"Our challenge was to raise £2010 in 2010, following our previous annual contributions of £2006, £2007 and a magnificent £3500 in 2008. In 2009 the event unfortunately fell on the very day that saw many people leave us and new faces arrive due to Government contract changes. This year's effort has ensured we have remained focused in our support for the charity. Every penny counts to fund Macmillan nurses and with further small amounts being paid in, we can announce that in 2010 we will be donating a grand total of £2098.

"This gesture is testament to the wonderful giving ethos of our employees who so often put others first with their charitable giving. Thanks to everyone who got involved," he added.

PPDG workers across the UK contribute each month to a payroll giving scheme and have donated more than £120,000 to good causes and charities, many supporting the disabled and disadvantaged. PPDG, which has its headquarters in Birmingham, has been recognised by the Institute of Fundraising as operating one of the best payroll giving schemes in the UK.

PPDG delivers the Government's Welfare to Work strategy across the Midlands through Flexible New Deal, Work Focused Training and other employment initiatives. PPDG is using its vast experience of helping long-term unemployed people get back into work to help local jobseekers secure employment opportunities.

PPDG's team of employment experts provide advice on benefits, confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview preparation as well as finding the right job or training course. In partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus, PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training initiatives including Flexible New Deal, Working Neighbourhoods Fund, Learndirect and many ESF funded programmes. More than 100,000 job seekers have been helped into sustained employment by the company since the projects began.  It has trained 130,000 people in vocational skills, and over 175,000 people have benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance services.