Property consultancy firm Bidwells has marked its 175th anniversary year by raising £175,000 which is to be shared between five children’s charities.

Staff took part in a year of fund-raising efforts, with their success resulting in the goal being lifted from an initial target of £100,000.

Bidwells’ office locations include Cambridge, Chelmsford and Norwich, and the charities to share in the money raised include East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Fundraising activities included abseiling down a clock tower, squeezing 20 people inside a Mini, a canoe challenge and cycling to the top of Mont Ventoux.

A cook book, “Make Me, Eat Me”,was also produced, with support enlisted from celebrities including Ed Sheeran and Raymond Blanc who contribute with their favourite recipes.

Patrick McMahon, senior partner at Bidwells, said: “When we first embarked on our fundraising year, we set a target of £100,000 but we had modest expectations as to whether we could reach this. But as the year progressed, the fundraising events got bigger and bolder and it was soon clear we were going to beat our initial target.

“So I am now delighted to announce that we have just broken the all-important £175,000 threshold, which when we started out we honestly never in our wildest dreams thought we could achieve.

“Everyone at Bidwells really got behind this initiative and they were all supported by their family, friends, clients and fellow property professionals, and for this we want to say a huge thank you, as clearly we could not have achieved it without them.”