A FAMILY-run business has taken on the challenge of raising £50k for a charity very close to the staff members’ hearts.

Ashtons Estate Agency partnered with Claire House Children's Hospice last year following the tragic death of the firm’s longest-serving member of staff’s child.

“Claire House were amazing with them at a truly awful time,” said director Kristian Derrick, who is from Walton.

And so far the firm, established in 2006 by Kristian Derrick, his two brothers and father Steve Price, has already raised around £10,000 through various activities and initiatives.

One activity involved a team from Ashtons taking part in the Rightmove Regatta in Portsmouth.

For the event, Ashtons, who have offices across Warrington, Newton-le-Willows and St Helens, teamed up with four other estate agents from the north and they came second overall - raising £3,000 for the charity.

The firm also donates £25 to the charity from every sale that is completed.

And they also give the owner the option to match the donation which often results in £50 per house sale.

Ashton’s support for the charity was also demonstrated throughout the pandemic with their For Sale boards which feature rainbows.

They then also teamed up with the charity to let homeowners choose the colour of their board – varying from blue, red, pink, orange, green and even a glow-in-the-dark board.

The Claire House logo is also displayed on these boards.

The team will continue fundraising to reach their £50,000 target.