AN innovative employee took advantage of a celebrity concert to raise money for charity.

Sarah Callis, showroom receptionist at Lancaster Toyota Colchester, on Axial Way, collected £410 by charging customers for on-site parking for the Lionel Richie concert.

The idea will support Whizzkidz, which aims for all disabled children's lives to be on an equal par with those who are able-bodied.

Ms Callis promoted the initiative to customers and organised the car park, dressed in her high-vis jacket.

Pre-booked Lancaster customers paid £5 while cars turning up on the day shelled £10.

This has been added to the sale of a Toyata MR2 by BCA Bedford, making the grand total £2,170 for the charity.

Tim Brownsdon, general manager, called Ms Callis a “Whizzkidz champion”.

He said: “All of us here are thrilled by the amount which was raised. I would’ve been happy with just £200 but for Sarah to double that was great.

“We’d both like to thank staff who helped with taking calls, parking and promoting it.

“My special thanks go to Craig Abbott for re-parking the courtesy cars and maximising the space, and of course, to Sarah, who brought her idea to life and braved the weather.”