ADVENTUROUS endeavours by staff at a York building firm have helped raise more than £8000 for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

The fundraising escapades by colleagues at York-based William Anelay Ltd included a team scaling 15 mountains within 24 hours for the Welsh 3000 challenge.

The company has now pledged to support the appeal for a further four years in a bid to raise a total of £50,000.

As part of this, 12 staff members will join the thousands of people taking part in the York 10K run on Sunday morning, and have raised over half of their £1,000 fundraising target for the event.

William Anelay Ltd initially set itself a target of raising £5,000 in one year for the legacy of the late fundraiser, Jane Tomlinson.

But, through a series of challenges, staff at the building conservation specialist firm have clocked up £8,048 to support the appeal's work with children’s and cancer causes.

To mark this milestone, William Anelay has also unveiled a giant banner at the Grade-II listed Hunter House, one of the company’s current restoration projects in Goodramgate, York. The disused office space on the upper floors are being turned into 14 new apartments for sale.

The firm which employs more than 100 people has also added Jane Tomlinson Appeal logos to its vehicles and staff uniforms.

William Anelay’s managing director Tony Townend said: “It is extremely pleasing to be able to pass on this increased donation to the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, which is our company’s official charity and supports so many good causes in our region.

“Everybody at William Anelay has embraced our partnership with the appeal with genuine passion and commitment. We wanted to celebrate this and raise even greater awareness of the charity with this banner in the city-centre.”

Mr Townend added: “With what will be a striking display on a local landmark, we hope we can play our part in encouraging more people to support the Jane Tomlinson Appeal and we would like to express our thanks to our clients S Harrison Developments Ltd who have supported this.”

Mike Tomlinson, of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, said: “We cannot thank William Anelay enough. What a remarkable amount to have raised.

“A huge well done to all of the staff who completed some truly fantastic challenges to support the Appeal. We’re absolutely thrilled to have the support of the company for another four years.”