A TEAM of call centre workers have raised thousands of pounds for charity in a 21-day fundraising challenge.

Five members of staff from the Virgin customer services centre, based in Stockton, were asked to take part in a national challenge run by the company to raise money in support of Scope, its charity of the year.

The group, dubbed Apprentice Team Teesside, aimed to raise £1,700 for Scope but, with one day of the event still to go, they had already raised £2,200.

For the final day the team hosted a tombola and cake stall in the Darlington branch of Scope, as well as donating 50 bags of sorted and steamed clothes collected from staff at the Virgin call centre.

In the 21-day challenge the team also held a sponsored Ladette to Lady challenge, a silent auction and a series of coffee mornings.

Julie Blakey, the group team leader, said: “It has been a very good experience for everyone involved, although we are now exhausted.

"We could not have done it without the support of Virgin, who allowed us the time to arrange the events, and the staff who have made donations and sponsored us.

“It has been phenomenal what we managed to achieve in these 21 days.”