STAFF at the Yorkshire Building Society in Richmond have raised more than £700 for a charity that provides disabled youngsters with life-changing electrical wheelchairs.

Dressed as characters from Peter Pan, the staff took part in an all-day relay rowathon, in a rowing machine that had been transformed to look like a pirate ship.

They raised £372.61 for national charity Whizz Kidz, which will be doubled by the society’s charitable trust.

Denise McCallum of Northallerton has an eight-year-old son Ryan who suffers from cerebral palsy.

He received an electrical wheelchairs through the charity in 2006.

“It has changed his life,” she said.

“Ryan wasn’t eligible for an electrical wheelchair on the NHS, and he only has the use of one hand, so he had to be pushed everywhere.

“Now he’s got so much more independence, and it will mean he is able to go out on his own with friends when he’s older.

“Whizz Kidz is such a worthwhile charity.”

Phil Labbett, branch manager, said: "Our sponsored Peter Pan row-a-thon was a fantastic success.

“We were all at sea by lunch time with aching limbs and shivery timbers, but when we met Ryan and we realised what a difference our fundraising could make to a disabled child we all became hook-ed on the task at hand.

"I'd like to thank everyone who supported us and remind those who haven't that it's not too late to double your money for disabled children this Christmas."

To make a donation, which will be doubled by the trust, call in to the branch on Market Square.