A DARLINGTON firm of accountants has raised hundreds of pounds for charity by appealing to the sweet tooth of their employees.

Staff at Clive Owen LLP, who have offices in Darlington, Durham and York, have raised money for Zoe’s Place thanks to an office tuck shop.

The charity, based in Middlesbrough, provides palliative, respite and end of life care for children from birth to six years suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

Elizabeth Layfield, tax manager at Clive Owen, said: “We have around 60 staff in Darlington but receive regular visitors from our other offices who also enjoy our tuck shop.

“We started it for a bit of fun and it has become really successful so we open the tuck shop every day and the donations go to support a variety of charities nominated by colleagues.”

Sue Fox, corporate fundraiser at Zoe’s Place, said: “We can provide care for up to six children at any one time.

“This gives the parents a much needed break and time to take a breather to do the things that most of us take for granted.