A FIRM'S novel festive fundraising campaign raised more than £1,000 for a selection of good causes.

Staff at GFM ClearComms, which is based in Hawkins Road, Colchester, really got into the festive spirit by hosting a 12 Days Till Christmas charity drive.

Every day in the run-up to December 25, the company hosted an event in aid of a different charity - raising well over £1,000 as well as donating large amounts of clothes, food and toys to some amazing causes.

The fundraising campaign included a Christmas jumper day supporting Save the Children UK, donations of food and warm clothes to support Colchester's homeless and litter picking to help Essex Wildlife Trust.

Cash was raised for St Helena's Hospice with a Xmas biscuit competition, unused uniform was donated for those less fortunate in Eastern Europe and food and toiletries were collected for Colchester Foodbank.

Rachael Willis, chief financial officer with GRM ClearComms, said: “We are proud to provide a variety of UK charities with our contact centre, marketing and fulfilment services; however, our interest in the charities we support goes beyond just working with them and we have and will continue to hold events like this to help these great causes.

"Everyone at the company has thoroughly enjoyed this campaign and it was extremely rewarding to be able to support local charities at this time of the year."

Bringing the campaign to a conclusion on the big day itself, Justin Stone walked an impressive 55 miles from Colchester to London in aid of mental health charity Mind.

The contact centre manager is hoping to raised a total of £2,500 from donations.

Ms Willis added: "We would like to thank all of our amazing staff who made this charity initiative possible and everyone who supported our events.”

Donation to Mr Stone's appeal can still be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/justin-stone8.