Staff at a public relations company have been trying out their creative skills in the kitchen to boost funds for the T&A Children’s Secret Santa Appeal.

The culinary efforts of Ilkley-based Approach PR company were rewarded when they raised £120 after tempting the generous people of Ilkley into the office for their home-made mince pies.

As well as the food, there was also a raffle, boosted by donations from businesses in the town, including Bettys, Nora’s Interiors and Gifts and The Grove Bookshop.

After two hours of entertaining at Approach’s offices in The Grove, managing director Suzanne Johns was delighted with the amount of money raised.

She said: “The mince pie morning was a fantastic kick start to our fundraising 12 days and we are so appreciative of the support we had from our local community.

“Raising £120 for the two-hour event we felt was a real achievement and a great reward for the entire Approach team who were up until the early hours the night before churning out dozens of mince pies.”

Approach PR committed itself to helping the toy appeal as part of a ’12 days of a charitable Approach’ fundraiser. The campaign, which comes to an end on Friday, December 14, will also see the Approach team dedicating their lunch hours by taking to the streets of Ilkley with collecting buckets, selling old for new toys on Ebay and opening a JustGiving page all in a bid to raise money to buy presents for local children.

The T&A has teamed up with Bradford-based Human Relief Foundation to run the appeal buying gifts for as many of the district’s 37,000 youngsters as possible who are living in poverty.

Mrs Johns said: “Building on our ongoing support for the local community and charitable causes, the team hopes the Christmas fundraiser will provide significant support to the T&A’s latest Christmas campaign.”

Sarah Gate, of HRF, said: “We’re hoping other local businesses will be inspired by Approach PR’s efforts and give us their backing too. One way to help is having a collection for us instead of doing Secret Santas or sending out christmas cards to each other.”

If you are planning a fundraiser for the T&A Children’s Secret Santa appeal where you work, contact reporter Kathie Griffiths on 01274 705296 or e-mail kathie.griffiths@telegraphandargus.co.uk to tell her about it.