EMPLOYEES of an energy company today (Tuesday, January 28) braved the freezing North Sea to raise funds for charity.

The event, involving 78 npower workers from across the North-East, was held on a windswept Sunderland beach in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support .

The swim is the first of ten fundraising events npower employees will be doing throughout 2014, in the hopes of raising £150,000 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the energy supplier's partnership with the cancer support charity.

Employees were led into the water by Gareth Pickles, npower’s customer service director, along with some of his colleagues, who were dressed as penguins for the chilly event.

Mr Pickles said: “I’m proud that we’ve launched ten for ten in the North-East with such enthusiastic staff from our Sunderland, Peterlee, Thornaby, Leeds and Hull offices.

“The people throughout npower are extremely passionate about our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, as it’s a charity that helps so many people.’

The ten for ten campaign aims to support people affected by cancer who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Part of the money that’s raised from today and the rest of the events will also go towards funding new energy advisors on the Macmillan Support Line, who will support people affected by cancer.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer or knows someone who has and would like more details on the Fuel Management Programme, contact Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 0000.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.justgiving.co.uk/company/npower.