STAFF from Barclays at Radbroke Hall in Over Peover swapped their calculators and pens for tools and paintbrushes as they spent a day helping out at an RSPCA wildlife centre.

Staff at the technology centre run by the bank - a charity partner to RSPCA Stapeley Grange in Nantwich for the past five years - help out at the wildlife centre and cattery for a number of days spread out across the year.

Last week, a group braved the wind and rain of Storm Aileen to offer their gardening and decorating skills at the centre and its student accommodation.

Days such as these result in up to £500-worth of building materials for the centre, which rehabilitates thousands of injured wildlife and rehomes hundreds of cats each year.

Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley Grange, said: “The guys at Barclays are fantastic and we always look forward to them coming in to help us, they always give 110 per cent.

“We are one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the country and there is always so much to be done so we are very grateful that Barclays allows staff to take time out to do this voluntary work.

“Even though there was a lot of rain on the day, the team who were working outside got on with the tasks at hand and they did a brilliant job, as did the team who were decorating our new offices.”

Charlotte Johnson, project manager at Barclays Technology Centre and who organises the corporate days, said: “It is nice that such a big company like Barclays allow us to do work out in the community.

“We have had a partnership with Stapeley Grange for some years now and we see how much amazing work goes into helping injured wildlife and neglected cats.

“We also get involved in the maintenance and development of the education garden that receives hundreds of children each year, it is so rewarding for all the teams that visit.”

The RSPCA is a charity, and relies on public donations to exist. Anyone who would like to support the vital work of Stapeley Grange can text RSPCA2 to 70007. Texts cost £3 + standard network rate.