BIRCHWOOD Park has broken its fundraising record after collecting more than £11,500 for charity.

The business park has announced its largest fundraising total to date, which will be distributed between its chosen charities for 2019- RSPCA Warrington, Halton and St Helens and Hand on Heart, a charity providing defibrillators in schools.

Martin O’Rourke, commercial director at Birchwood Park, said: "It’s fantastic to see that we’ve once again broken our previous fundraising records, and the money raised couldn’t be going to two better charities.

"I’d like to thank each and every member of staff, resident and park occupier that got involved in any way during our fundraising and those who donated their hard-earned cash for their contributions.

"To be able to give back to those organisations within our community in need of help and funding is crucial and something we always strive to do at Birchwood Park."

A total of £11,578 was raised through a variety of activities such as summer fairs, bake sales, sponsored challenges and a duck race.

Catherine McGee, operations manager at the RSPCA Warrington, Halton and St Helens, said: "We’re over the moon to have been one of the chosen Birchwood Park charities over the past year, and can’t thank the team there enough for everything they’ve done to raise money for our branch and the animals we care for."

Lesley Appleton, fundraising co-ordinator at Hand on Heart, added: "It’s fantastic to have such a boost and support from businesses in our own community, and the money raised at Birchwood Park will go a long way in helping us to raise awareness for sudden cardiac arrest in children and provide essential funding for in-school defibrillators."

As well as raising money last year, Birchwood Park also held appeals, including collecting food, warm clothing, blankets and toiletry items for Warrington Open Door at Christmas (WODAC), a charity supporting homeless, lonely and vulnerable people over the festive period.

Fundraising efforts will continue into 2020, as Birchwood Park announced St Rocco’s Hospice as one of its new charity partners, as well as Dogs for Good, a charity which explores how dogs can help people overcome specific challenges and improve lives and communities.