Staff at leading Derbyshire fashion house, David Nieper, put their craftsmanship to work, raising a fantastic £1,658.62 to help improve the lives of local people affected by cancer.

Staff baked and sold their own cakes (all home-made with no cheating!), organised tombola and ran a raffle to raise funds in a special charity day event, bringing in £829.31 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Bosses at the family company, who have backed the charity for many years, matched the money pound-for-pound, making the impressive total of £1658.62.

Christopher Nieper, managing director of David Nieper, said: “Our staff have really shown their creativity and talent. Not only did they come up with the idea for a charity day themselves but their sheer effort and generosity made the event a huge success.

“We’re really proud to support the work of Macmillan. One in three of us will get cancer – and most of us already know somebody affected by the disease. This money will make a real difference to those Derbyshire families who are affected.”

Accepting the donation, Rob Lawrenson, Derbyshire fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “I’d like to thank the workers at David Nieper for once again organising such a successful charity day. Without this kind of initiative we wouldn’t be able to help people suffering with cancer. All the money raised will provide practical, medical and financial help to those who need it most.”

The skilful workers at David Nieper, who design and make luxury women’s clothes at their Alfreton headquarters, are long-term supporters of Macmillan. Last year staff raised £700 and chose to support Macmillan again because of the fantastic work the charity does helping local people living with cancer. Figures show that every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with the disease.