A DECADE’S worth of dedicated fundraising has seen more than £63,000 handed over to a North-East hospice reliant on donations.

St Teresa’s Hospice, in Darlington, received £63,702 from fellow Darlington-based organisation, pensions administrator, RPMI, after staff members pledged to reach a £60,000 target for the charity.

Across a ten-year period, RPMI staff have held a number of raffles, worn casual clothes to work and attended balls in honour of the Woodland Road facility.

David Maddison, deputy chief executive of RPMI, said: “St Teresa’s Hospice is a vital organisation within the local community and we’re proud to be able to support them.

“Our staff are always enthusiastic about fundraising and over the years have got involved in all kinds of events, including a sponsored head shave.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with St Teresa’s and raising another £60,000 in the future.”

The pensions administrators agreed to channel all of their fundraising efforts into finding £60,000 for St Teresa’s Hospice in 2016, but added nearly £4,000 to their goal.

Jane Bradshaw, chief executive of St Teresa’s Hospice, said: “The team at RPMI have shown incredible dedication and enthusiasm for everything they do.”

She added: “I am thrilled to hear how much has been raised in the years since we were chosen as their adopted charity, and we all look forward to working with the team for many more years to come.”