EMPLOYEES at a financial services firm left the office to carry out charity work.

The 90-strong team of employees from Deloitte in Newcastle was taking part in its annual community day.

The event, now in its fourth year, is focussed on four key areas of activity: the environment; skills and education; disability sport; and charitable giving.

Volunteers were matched to four projects, and activities included gift wrapping for a children’s Christmas grotto, gardening and interior decorating at a hospice, environmental improvements to brighten a primary school and maintenance at a National Trust lake.

Some of the team spent the day at Hadrian School, in Newcastle, to continue the development of a wildlife garden, which Deloitte helped to start last year.

This included clearing rubble, stones and unwanted materials, as well as painting fences, walls, gates and cutting back shrubs and bushes.

Ann Menzies, senior teacher at Hadrian School, said: “The staff, pupils, parents and governors at Hadrian School appreciate the support from the Deloitte employees during their community day. The tasks would have been very difficult and expensive for us to carry out.”

Paul Williamson, office senior partner at Deloitte, said: “Our corporate social responsibility is extremely important to the firm and we encourage and support all our people to get involved by raising funds, contributing ideas and using their talents – benefiting both the community organisations they support and their own skills and development.”