STAFF members at a Worcester hotel have easily smashed a self-set charity fundraising target of £1000, to send a poorly child to Lapland this Christmas.

Earlier this year, staff at Worcester Whitehouse Hotel pledged to raise funds throughout 2014 to support local a charity, When You Wish Upon a Star, an organisation which grants wishes to children who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

In order to raise the funds, the hotel team embarked on a flurry of fundraising activities, - including a 15-mile sponsored walk from the hotel to Malvern.

The fund-raisers also collected donations along the way.

Rachael Mitchell, general manager at Worcester Whitehouse Hotel, said, “Everyone at the hotel is thrilled to support When You Wish Upon a Star, which carries out such fantastic work. The team has been incredibly motivated to raise money for this wonderful cause.

“Throughout the sponsored walk, the team stopped at local businesses to help raise additional funds and drum up support from the community. The enthusiasm from the team was inspiring, they kept each other going, and so did the ongoing support from the people of Worcester.

She added: “In total the day raised in excess of £500 – which when coupled with funds from our previous efforts has smashed our original target of £1000. We hope to raise even more before the end of the year.”

When You Wish Upon a Star is a small charity which aims to grant the wishes of children suffering from life threatening illnesses across the UK. The charity started in 1990 and since then have granted over 14,500 wishes.

The hotel had targeted to raise £1000 for the charity – enough to grant one child’s wish to go to Lapland. The team has already exceeded this target, having raised £1,145 so far.