STAFF in the Devizes office of a vehicle rental firm are the road to success when it comes to charity fundraising.

Staff in the Hambleton Avenue office of Ryder UK have raised almost £11,000 by doing everything from walking the Sahara to having their heads shaved.

It meant that 2015 was the branch's best ever fundraising year.

Money was split among a number of good causes including the British Red Cross, Wiltshire Aire Ambulance, Children In Need, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Royal British Legion. Nationally Ryder UK also donated £25,000 to British Red Cross.

Among the staff going the extra mile were Robin White who swam 10k along the River Dart and raised £1,905 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Clare Merrylees who did the Run the Rainbow for Prospect House and raised £1,095, Helen Gray did a Pretty Mudder Race for Life and raised £588 for Cancer Research. Caris Crawford Light, Gemma Lloyd and Karen Barker all took part in standard Race for Life events and raised £2,480.

Gary Sydney-Smith and Mark Waters did Shave The Brace for MacMillan Cancer Support and raised £1,250 while Luke Hosken did the Sahara Desert Walk and collected £1,200.

David Hunt, Vice President and Managing Director Ryder Europe, said: "Ryder and its staff have a strong track record in fundraising for charity. 2015 was the best ever fundraising year for the Devizes office. Nearly £11,000 was raised through a broad range of activities supporting both local and national charities.

"Whilst the company’s present national charity partner is the British Red Cross, to whom Ryder donated £25,000 in 2015, the company encourages its staff to support worthwhile causes that are personal to individuals.

"We are delighted that 2015 was a record fundraising year for the Ryder Devizes team, and we would like to thank all those who helped to make this possible for their support and generosity."