After selecting Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity as its charity of the year in 2012, local estate agent Gascoigne Halman has managed to raise a total of £9,498.08.

Keen to present the cheque in person, directors of Gascoigne Halman John Halman and Peter Higham visited Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where they met the hospital’s director Alwyn Hughes and of course Humphrey.

Gascoigne Halman’s year of fundraising involved staff from its Warrington office taking part in an assortment of crazy challenges including an Olympic sprint, a bakeathon, a walk up Kinder Scout, a Santa dash and a skydive.

Alwyn was keen to shake hands and thank the company for raising such a fantastic amount.

He said: “I thought it was important to invite John and Peter to the hospital so I could thank them in person for choosing Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, as their charity of the year.

“I am overwhelmed with the positive response and enthusiasm of all the Gascoigne Halman employees, who have participated in all manners of fundraising during 2012 and raised such a phenomenal amount.

“The money raised will really make a difference to the lives of children and families across the north west. “It has been a pleasure to work with Gascoigne Halman, who have gone that extra mile to raise money for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

“We’re grateful for their support, and look forward to working with them again in the not so distant future.”

John Halman said: “We are really pleased that we have been able to support Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.

“This very worthwhile charity does such a great job in supporting and caring for children when they need it the most. “The team has done a fantastic job in all of their fundraising efforts, and I feel very proud we have been able to raise an extremely significant amount.”

Gascoigne Halman has supported a number of charities over the years, including Children in Need, The Together Trust, The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust and The David Lewis Centre.

Their most recent support was for The Christie charity in 2010, when they raised £9,079.