STAFF at the Ipswich-based Fred. Olsen group of companies joined forces at their summer ball to raise �7,410 for the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Treehouse Appeal.

The event, at Trinity Park, Ipswich, brought together staff from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Fred. Olsen Travel and Fred. Olsen Limited.

Shona Michell, new media and communications executive for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, who organised the ball, thanked colleagues for their support, and the group’s suppliers who provided prizes for the fund-raising raffle, which included iPads and bottles of champagne.

She said: “Our staff chose EACH’s Treehouse Appeal to benefit from the proceeds of this year’s raffle, as we have all been deeply moved by the invaluable work that this local charity does to improve the lives of life-threatened children and their families within Suffolk and surrounding areas. Thanks to all our staff and suppliers for helping us to raise the amazing sum of �7,410.”

EACH launched its Treehouse Appeal in March 2010, with the daunting task of raising �3million to fund the construction and outfitting of an all-new, purpose-built children’s hospice in Ipswich.

The old hospice in Walker Close in Ipswich opened in 1999 as a pilot project, but demand for services had grown so significantly that the facility was unable to meet the needs of life-threatened children and their families.

The �3million target was reached in March this year, and Fred. Olsen’s donation will be used to provide much-needed equipment within the new, state-of-the-art hospice.

Patsy Johnson, Suffolk fundraiser for EACH, said: “We can’t thank all the companies within the Fred. Olsen Group enough for their generous donation.

“Their fundraising efforts will ensure we can continue to deliver much-needed care and support to life-threatened children and their families across the region.”