A MAJOR employer has raised more than £150,000 for charities.

Equiniti has offices in Worthing, Lancing and Crawley.

More than 700 staff dressed in quirky Christmas outfits, ranging from jumpers to vibrant elf socks, while 400 took part in the Christmas raffle.

More than £1,000 was raised for Chestnut Tree House and St Barnabas hospices.

Equiniti has raised more than £150,000 for local charities and hopes to continue its support next year.

Last year, it launched Volunteer Days, giving each member of staff two days out of the office each year to support a local charity or community project.

Since this started, there has been huge interest with many colleagues already using the day to help charities around Sussex.

Louise Kirkwood, head of customer insight, events, said: “The festivities of Christmas well and truly started in the office on Friday, with a range of fun Christmas outfits and colleagues taking part in the St Barnabas Christmas raffle.

“The atmosphere in the office was wonderfully festive and cheerful and a fantastic way to start the Christmas holidays.

“We all enjoyed the fundraising activities and are very pleased the total reached over £1,000.

“I look forward to continuing to support our local community in 2019.”

It is also supporting St Barnabas Light up a Life Appeal in remembrance of loved ones.

Six Equiniti staff members volunteered to help decorate three Christmas trees ready for the evening service.

Equiniti staff put aside time on Monday afternoon to join St Barnabas staff to set up and decorate the trees head to toe in baubles and tinsel, ready for the evening service.

The hospice’s “Light Up a Life Appeal” provides the opportunity for the local community to come together to remember and celebrate the lives and memories of their loved ones .

Everyone who attended the service received a special “Light Up a Light” candle to be lit at their home in memory of a loved one.

Family and friends bought along photos of their loved one which were displayed on a “Memory Wall” after the service.

All money raised helps support St Barnabas to care for people with life-limiting illnesses over Christmas and into the New Year.

Last year, the appeal raised in excess of £30,000 which helped provide more than 2,000 hours of specialist nursing care to patients in their own homes.

Sophie Henderson, Events Officer at St Barnabas House, said: “We really appreciate all the support Equiniti provided on the day of the service.”