OPEN International, one of Worc-ester's largest employers, has smashed its 2007 charity target by raising more than £9,300 for Acorns Children's Hospice.

The workforce at Warndon-based Open International, which supplies IT solutions to insurance brokers, promised to raise at least £3,500 for the local charity, to which the company would add a further £3,500 on achieving the target. Staff took part in a host of fund-raising activities throughout the year, including a 150-foot abseil, a Christmas raffle with prizes totalling £2,000, various cake sales and a head-shaving day for a brave employee.

Acorns Children's Hospice is mainly funded through public contributions and needs £6 million a year to support more than 600 families. Its specialist unit in Worcester cares for chronically ill children, providing respite care, nursing and a range of therapies and support services to help them live every day to the full.

Acorns also supports the whole family throughout the life of their child and beyond.

Fran Winterbourn, Acorns community fund-raiser, Acorns Children's Hospice, said: "Open Intern-ational has made an amazing contribution this year.

"When it costs us £4,500 a day to run the hospice, it is imperative that we get the backing of large local companies to ensure we can continue to provide a high level of support to families across Worcester."

Phillip Bell, chief executive officer of Open International, which employs 300 people, added: "Our staff have done some great work for charity this year and we almost exceeded our target just from the abseil at Eastnor Castle. Acorns Children's Hospice is a very worthy cause and we are delighted to be able to continue to support the local community."