Worcester Bosch has rounded off its 40th anniversary celebrations with a cheque presentation for £45,000 to Cancer Research UK.

Staff, suppliers and stockists of the company, which was established on September 14, 1962, all joined in the fund-raising activities.

The 40-year celebrations ran from May 2002 to May 2003, spanning either side of the firm's September anniversary.

Sue Pennington, marketing manager at Worcester Bosch - which employs 700 people at its site in Cotswold Way, Warndon - said the firm chose one charity for all its 40th anniversary fund-raising activities.

Nationwide

"We decided on a charity that was nationwide and that meant something to everyone, which is why we decided on Cancer Research UK," said Mrs Pennington.

"Staff here have organised customer golf days, breakfast mornings, sponsored slims, factory fun days and even a 110-mile cycle from our Clay Cross factory, in Derbyshire, to our headquarters in Warndon, Worcester.

"All in all, this has helped us to exceed our £40,000 target and actually raise £45,000."

Visits

The year has also seen factory visits for merchants and technical presentation evenings for installers around the country.

Specially commissioned 40th anniversary body warmers and jackets were also produced.

Customers have also had the opportunity to win washing machines by having a Worcester Bosch boiler installed, in a promotion run in conjunction with the Evening News.