Property firm Bidwells has raised more than £175,000 for five children’s charities, sailing well over its initial target of around £100,000.

Fittingly, the money was raised during the firm’s 175^th anniversary celebrations.

Everyone at Bidwells truly embraced the spirit of the occasion and took part in events that included abseiling, squeezing 20 people into a Mini and producing a celebrity cookbook.

Patrick McMahon, senior partner, said: “When we first embarked on our fundraising year we set a target of £100,000 but we had modest expectations as to whether we could reach this. But, as the year progressed, the fundraising events got bigger and bolder and it was soon clear we were going to beat our initial target.

“Everyone at Bidwells really got behind this initiative and they were all supported by their family, friends, clients and fellow property professionals, and for this we want to say a huge thank you as, clearly, we could not have achieved it without them.”

The five charities which have benefited from the fundraising are: Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS); Respite Nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters (ROSY); East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH); The Pepper Foundation, which funds the hospice’s at home children’s nursing team; and Leo’s Appeal, which raises funds for the children’s wards at Milton Keynes Hospital.

Bidwells employs almost 50 staff in 13 offices across England and Scotland.