MORE than £3,000 has been raised by a Worcestershire estate agents for a children's charity.

Connells estate agents made the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) its chosen charity in 2016.

And overall an impressive £3,340 was raised for the charity through various fundraising events including the annual Connells Partner’s Ball, a senior staff member’s auction, branch bake sales and company dress down days.

Connells' chief executive David Plumtree recently presented the NSPCC with a cheque following the fundraising effort.

The NSPCC specialises in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The charity runs a range of locally based services for children and families, campaigns to help improve the lives of children, runs a helpline for adults to call, and provides ChildLine - the UK’s free helpline and online service for children and young people to call if they need help or advice.

Rebecca Baker, area director at Connells, said: “We’ve been supporting the NSPCC for more than 15 years now.

"Their work is so important to the lives of many children around the UK and we’re thrilled to be able to continue contributing in this way.

"In early 2016, we pledged to raise £2,000 for Childline’s 30:30 campaign, and we’re glad to say we’ve smashed that target and are planning for even bigger, better things this year.”

Jacqui Venters, NSPCC's community fundraising manager, said: “We are very grateful to Connells for their wonderful support.

"Childline celebrated 30 years of being there for children who need us last year, but we are still only able to answer three out of every four calls to Childline, with calls coming in every 25 seconds across the UK.

The donation from Connells will help towards our aim to answer all calls."