Here at Plusnet we're always up for getting involved for a worthy cause and this year's been no different. Over the last twelve months we've been busy raising funds for the Sheffield Children's Hospital, everything from selling off old office computer equipment to charity bike rides and having our Finance director running fervently up and down the office stairs in an overweight ballerina costume (OK, the latter was actually in aid of Sport Relief but you get the drift!) Just last week, with the help of former Dancing On Ice contestant Jennifer Ellison, we presented the Children's Hospital with the fruit of our efforts - a (somewhat oversized) cheque for whopping £11,147.85! Never let it be said that us Yorkshire folk have short arms and deep pockets 
Carry on reading to find out how we raised the money and what The Children's Hospital and Jennifer had to say about our donation ...
It's the taking part ...
Each year everybody here at Plusnet Towers gets together to choose a charity who'll we'll be supporting during year to come. Last year it was the Alzheimer's Society whom we raised a non-too paltry £5000 for. This year it's been the turn of the Sheffield's Children's Hospital who we hope we've done proud by raising more than twice what we did during 2010/2011. Here's just a few of the things we've been up to ...
Getting fit.
Five members of our beloved Leadership Team got into the charity spirit recently by tackling the gruelling Coast to Coast cycle route. They cycled 150 miles from Whitehaven to Newcastle over the course of two days raising almost £4000 towards our overall total.
Getting wet.
It's not a charity raising event without a healthy dose of humiliation. This is Mark, our CIO, saying hello to a bucket of ice-cold water whilst Nick, our Marketing Director, tries not to get hit with sponges.
Getting down!
It was our 15th birthday last year, so to celebrate we all got suited and booted, let our hair down and had a good old fashioned knees up, raising over £1000 in the process.
Jennifer does us proud
The cheque, for over £11k, was presented to the Children's Hospital by actress, TV personality and Dancing On Ice contestant Jennifer Ellison who had the following to say about our donation:
“It’s great that Plusnet is supporting The Children’s Hospital. “As a mum myself, childrens’ health and welfare is a matter that’s close to my heart.”
Tchad Western, Corporate Fundraiser at The Children’s Hospital Charity, commented:
“We are extremely grateful to Plusnet for this generous donation and to their staff for their support. “The money raised by Plusnet will go towards our ‘Make it Better’ appeal, which is a campaign to raise £20m towards a £40m scheme at The Children’s Hospital. The charity appeal is needed for the enhancements that will transform the building into a state-of-the-art facility. These will include single rooms and en-suite facilities, a special play tower, gardens, specialist medical equipment and artwork.”
Getting involved
The Children’s Hospital does some excellent work and we are very proud to have supported the charity over the last year. The goodwill doesn't end here though and we're already in the process of voting for which charity we'll be supporting next year. To find out more about The Children's Hospital Charity and their 'Make it Better appeal', please visit: www.make-it-better.org.uk If you fancy doing your bit and helping a worthy cause then why not put your Plusnet Broadband to work and make a donation online. What's the wackiest thing you or someone you know has done for charity and who do you think we should support over the next twelve months? Let us know by leaving a comment below ...