Berry Recruitment counts on staff for fundraising

Research into the fight against cancer has been given a boost by staff at the Exeter branch of a national specialist recruitment company.

They were among 150 dedicated employees from Berry Recruitment's 27 offices nationwide to rise to a fundraising challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK.

With the final totals now collected, the branches and head office in St Albans, Hertfordshire, succeeded in raising more than £1,000 of much needed funds.

Staff were on the ball with a whole host of activities, including World Cup themed events, sponsored runs and a companywide Guess the Number of Jelly Beans in a Jar contest.

Spencer Berry, who is Berry Recruitment's business development director, said: "We've held events for other charities before but this was our first for Cancer Research UK.

"As always, our superb staff rose to the occasion with everyone at our 27 offices nationwide involved in all kinds of fundraising activities.

"Thanks go to them all and everyone who supported them to make it such a success.

"It was great fun and rewarding to be able to help such a worthwhile charity as Cancer Research UK."

In the Jelly Bean contest, Maria Hussain, from the Birmingham branch, claimed the honours - and the jar - with the closest guess of 1,590, just six out from the 1,584 target.

Lee Briggs, manager of the Sutton branch, tackled the British 10 K London Run. Debby Clayton, operations manager at the Northampton branch, also played her part by joining in the Race for Life in Oxford.

A total of £1,005 was raised during the activities over two days in July, including a company contribution.

Previous fundraisers have included a Wear it Pink day last October for the Breast Cancer Campaign and a Purple Day for the Stroke Association in March.

Figures from Cancer Research UK show that more than 330,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK.

Cancers of the breast, lung, prostrate and bowel account for 54 per cent of all new cancer cases.

A spokesman for Cancer Research UK said: “I would like to extend our grateful thanks to Berry Recruitment and their employees for the wonderful donation of £1,005.

“Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and continues to do so.

"However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of people like Berry Recruitment without whom we would not be able to fund our vital research.”

Berry Recruitment has grown rapidly in recent years both organically and through acquisition, and as a result they’ve been named in the top 10 fastest growing multi sector recruitment businesses. Within the last three years, they have seen their turnover double to over £42 million.

The company recently acquired Croydon-based PRC Employment as it continues to expand. And they forecast their turnover to rise to £50 million in 2014.