STAFF at Nestlé’s York factory are aiming to help raise three quarters of a million pounds over the next three years for a children’s charity.

Employees at Nestlé sites across the country have taken part in a ‘Charity of Choice’ ballot to choose which of three children’s charities should become the company’s cause.

Action for Children, which helps 50,000 of the UK’s most vulnerable and neglected children and young people overcome difficulties, was chosen, with Nesté setting a fundraising target of £250,000 a year for three years.

The partnership will see employees taking part in a variety of fundraising events.

Andy Harris, director of fundraising for Action for Children, said he was delighted Nestlé staff had voted for it. “Having their support will make an enormous difference, enabling us to get help to many more vulnerable children and families who need it so much at this time,” he said. “On behalf of all the children and families they will be helping, we would like to extend a massive thanks.”

Paul Grimwood, chairman and chief executive of Nestlé UK and Ireland, said Action for Children provided vital services for disadvantaged children up and down the country.

“I’m confident the partnership will prove a huge success, allowing us to make an important difference to young lives in our communities,” he said.

Over the last five years, Nestlé employees have raised more than £1.1 million for charities including The Variety Club and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Last October, The Press reported how staff had raised a record-breaking £350,000 for The Alzheimer’s Society, through events including a site-to-site bicycle challenge ride between Nestlé sites and a Hallowe’en ball in York.