It was a whirlwind week for Softcat’s charity team who were busy warming up for Sports Relief. On Thursday Softcat employees came into work in fancy dress to fundraise for Sport Relief, raising a total of £16,000.

Charlie Harman, heading up Softcat’s charity team, said: “Every year the charity team is stunned by the generosity of Softcat staff – we have more fundraising activities going on here than at any company I’ve worked at, and yet if anything people here seem to give more generously. £16,000 is a lot of money and will go a long way towards helping to achieve the goals of Sports Relief.”

Colin Brown, Softcat’s managing director, said “A huge well done to all the staff in our Marlow and Manchester offices who gave up their Friday nights to man the phones and support the great work of Sport Relief. You did a fantastic job. I’d also like to thank our vendors for sponsoring our raffle, which raised £8,540 alone. Well done everyone, and thanks for getting involved.”

Employee Dan Clinch volunteered to auction shaving either his head or beard, raising £2,000. He said, “As soon as I found out I was going to get a free haircut I was more than happy to get involved. Luckily the beard stayed.”

Other fundraising activities included a vendor-sponsored raffle, a BBQ manned by the company directors, and various school sports day activities including an egg and spoon race and a wheelbarrow race. Staff dressed up in sportswear in acknowledgement of the recent Winter Olympics – some going to greater extremes than others.