Pictured: (l-r) Jonathan Westhoff, Chief Executive at the West Brom, with Peter Collingridge, Sophie Jones, David Turner (all West Brom) and Diana La Fontaine from Acorns for the Three Counties

Senior managers from a leading regional building society swapped finance for fences when they volunteered their services at a children's hospice in Worcester.

Jonathan Westhoff, Chief Executive of the West Brom, and five colleagues spent a day at Acorns for the Three Counties in Worcester, staining fences and gates as part of a project to improve the site's extensive gardens.

Jonathan said: "We have pledged a year of not only fundraising but also supplying volunteer help for Acorns as our chosen charity and it was great to get involved in this particular challenge. We enjoyed taking part and having a chance to learn more about the work Acorns does to support the children and their families."

Katreena Barnes, Volunteers Manager at the hospice, was delighted with the team's efforts. She said: "It was a task and a half; they worked hard and did a great job. It was a big help to everyone here and we know our families appreciate the garden looking more welcoming. The West Brom has asked for some more challenges to take on so they will be back to do more work."

The ten bedroom hospice, which opened in 2005, offers care and support for children and their families.

Acorns relies on voluntary donations for the majority of the £8 million plus needed to run its services. Acorns has three hospices, in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, which provide respite, emergency and end of life care to life limited and life threatened children and their families.  A Community Team also supports families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with a range of services at home.