STAFF at the Taunton-based UK Hydrographic Office have raised £12,321 for two charities that work to support seriously ill children and their families.

The cash will be split between Molly Olly’s Wishes, which grants wishes to help with the emotional wellbeing of terminally ill children and their families, and Torbay Holiday Helpers Network, who provide free memory-making holidays to families affected by terminal illness or bereavement.

Over the course of 2017, UKHO volunteers hosted several fundraising events, including bake sales, raffles, quizzes, sailing and a multi-terrain race, The Piddle Wood Plod 10k.

Rachel Ollerenshaw, co-founder of Molly Olly’s Wishes, said: "The charity is extremely grateful to everyone at the UKHO for all their fundraising and the donation will help us to support more families."

Brian Lewis, fundraising manager at Torbay Holiday Helpers Network, said: "The amount raised is fantastic and will enable us to give more memory-making holidays to families living with serious illness and bereavement, giving them some special memories to treasure forever."

Each year, the UKHO supports a charity nominated and voted for by staff - since 2007, more than £100,000 has been raised for various charities including Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE), St Margaret’s Hospice, Open Door, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Service, South West Children’s Hospice, 40 Commando, Freewheelers, Taunton Sea Cadets and Alzheimer’s Research UK.

This year, staff have chosen to support the Musgrove Leukaemic Group Somerset, which supports leukaemia and lymphoma patients and their families in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.