Softcat on the prowl for Comic Relief donations

VAR aims to top its £17,000 target for the charity when it transforms into a call centre

Some 140 of Softcat's staff are set to don 80s gear and man the phones as the reseller transforms into a call centre to raise funds for Comic Relief.

On 15 March, the Marlow-headquartered firm will offer its support to the charity, which is set to celebrate its 25th year, in a variety of ways. During the day, staff will turn up for work in 80s-themed fancy dress in order to raise funds, as well as take part in a company raffle.

In the evening, Softcat staff and vendor partners will be answering the phones to register callers' donations in a bid to smash the reseller's £17,000 target - the figure it raised for last year's Sport Relief.

The firm's chairman Martin Hellawell said he is proud to be involved in charity fundraising.

"Charitable work is deeply infused into our work culture, so we are absolutely thrilled to have been selected to host a call centre for Red Nose Day. Every year our employees nominate a charity they would like to fundraise for, and we host a May Ball to generate donations," he added.

"Red Nose Day is one of our largest charity efforts and we also raised almost £17,000 for Sport Relief last year, so we are aiming to raise as much money as possible for Comic Relief. We are aiming to top that this year."

The reseller's chief charity representatives Charles Harman and Michael Walker said they too were thrilled and that it was a privilege to take part.

The money raised for Comic Relief by the public helps improve the lives of people both at home in the UK and in Africa.