The property consultancy Bidwells has celebrated the opening of its new office in Grosvenor Road, St Albans, by raising cash for the Pepper Foundation.

Staff from the branch organised a series of fundraising events including bake sales plus and an auction of classic ordinance survey maps. So far they have raised £2,578 for the charity which was presented last week.

But funds will be boosted further this weekend when a team from the company tackle the Three Peaks Challenge.

Bidwells’ St Albans office manager Lucie Stone is picture presenting the cheque to Pepper’s Jonathan Tweed.

He said: "Pepper is extremely grateful for the support of local firms such as Bidwells.

"Without their help we wouldn't be able to fund the paediatric nursing service which provides much needed professional hospice at home care for seriously ill children and their families in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire."