STAFF from Foot Anstey enjoyed an evening with their families at Crealy Great Adventure Park as part of the firm's Dragon's Challenge fundraising.

The legal eagles and their families had the attraction's adventure zone to themselves, as around 50 people aged from eight to 50 took to the slides, ball pools and climbing equipment.

Ticket sales and donations at the event raised more than £210 for the NSPCC's South West Child's Voice appeal, which aims to raise £1.6m by 2011 to recruit more volunteer counsellors and develop the services provided by the charity's ChildLine call centre in Exeter.

Paralegal Laura Tout, who came up with the idea of an evening at Crealy, said: "It went really well and everyone had a good laugh. We wanted to get together, have fun and raise money for the Dragon's Challenge, and because it was half term we thought it would be nice for kids to get out a bit.

"Crealy gave us their adventure zone free of charge. I babysit a couple of children and I just think it's great fun to take them up there and let your hair down."

Laura added that the event had boosted the Exeter office's effort to win the internal competition between Foot Anstey centres to raise the most money during the Dragon's Challenge. Their total is now £1,500.

Also at Foot Anstey, car fanatic Patrick Howarth, a partner in the firm's employment and pensions team, is preparing for a sponsored car swap when he will trade his current transport for a much smaller and older set of wheels for the whole of March. So far, he has more than £1,100 in sponsorship.

Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden chairs the regional appeal and will spend a day with the company raising the most cash in the Dragon's Challenge.

With just over a month to go, Midas Group hold onto top spot in the fundraising league table this week, ahead of its grand prize draw on Friday, March 19.

Bruce Harvey, sales manager at Buckerell Lodge, is collecting donations from generous staff at the Met Office in return for a range of tasty treats. The hotel is also holding a quiz night on Thursday, March 18. Call Bruce on 0844 855 9112.