BUS passengers have helped a company smash through the £25,000 fundraising mark for St Helena Hospice.

Staff from First Essex donated a cheque for £1,255 to the Colchester-based charity which means fundraising across the last decade has topped £25,000.

Operations manager for First Steve Hartman said: "This is a great achievement and one we are all very proud of.

"For the past ten years our staff have gone the extra mile to help support families at St Helena’s Hospice.

"This has even included drivers sporting fancy dress to put a smile on customers’ faces and encourage them to donate some loose change.

“I would also like to thank our customers for their generosity over the years, as their donations have gone a long way to help achieve this fantastic target.”

The hospice's community fundraising partnerships manager Toni Knights said: "We are extremely thankful to First for their continued support of St Helena Hospice.

"Over the last ten years they have raised a fantastic amount that is helping us to continue to support people living with an incurable illness in Essex. "Seeing the drivers dress up throughout December has become a tradition for some and we are truly grateful for their support.”