Staff at a Bradford transport firm donned their best bib and tucker for a basic meal of maize and water to raise money for hungry children in Tanzania.

Employees at the TNT Bradford depot at Birkenshaw raised more than £610 during the company’s Fight Hunger Week initiative which nationally raised £40,000 to feed and educate impoverished children.

The money was donated to the World Food Programme to help the United Nations-backed agency with its work.

The money was raised by TNT staff around the UK in less than a week from a range of charitable activities, and is sufficient to provide for the needs of 1,600 children for a year.

TNT Bradford general manager Andy Laker said: “It costs just £25 to feed and educate a child for a year in Tanzania, so the magnificent efforts of our people will provide for the needs of more than 1,600 kids for 2010-2011.

“We have a strong corporate responsibility ethos and our support for the WFP is a key element in what we do. Our employees never cease to amaze me with their generosity and willingness to help those most in need in society.”

The portions of food sold to raise funds represented a 7p meal of maize and water given to children in Tanzania which is their one nutritious meal a day.