Broadband provider Zen Internet has handed two charities, which support people near to its Rochdale headquarters, a total of £44,228.

Sharing the award are its charity partners over the last year, Rochdale based Springhill Hospice, and Altrincham based the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT), which provides day trips and residential breaks to children with special needs and living in poverty or with complex medical needs.

“Each year, employees vote to select their charity, or charities, to support, with the company matching the funds raised through staff-led initiatives, said Zen founder and chief executive Richard Tang.

“Every member of the Zen team also receives two paid volunteering days to contribute their time directly to causes they care about.”

“Seeing the energy, creativity, and commitment of our colleagues over the past year has been incredible – from climbing mountains for charity to sleeping out in support of those less fortunate – the team has really made a difference.”

Springhill Hospice fundraising manager Sophie Anderson said that “the overwhelming support from the whole team at Zen Internet is absolutely incredible” adding that “the total donated to Springhill could fund 22 days of our Hospice at Home service”.

A CAFT spokesperson added: “We've had such a wonderful year as charity partner of Zen Internet, and are humbled by the hard work and support shown by their staff.

“They've helped in so many ways, both fundraising and volunteering to help us to make a difference to the children visiting CAFT.

“Thanks to this amazing donation, we will be able to provide residential and day visits to our accessible countryside location for children from our region whose lives are impacted by illness, disability and social disadvantage – giving them an opportunity to simply be children, to play, to laugh, to learn and grow."

For the next 12 months the broadband firm will continue supporting long term partner Springhill Hospice and will also fundraise for domestic abuse survivors charity Women’s Housing Action Group, which was voted by employees as its Charity of the Year.

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