EIGHT bankers swapped cash registers for paintbrushes to support an Oxford charity.

The staff from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking spent a day preparing furniture donated to children’s hospice charity Helen and Douglas House for sale in its shops.

The team painted and redecorated furniture to ensure it brought in more cash when it hit the shop floors.

Karl Leitelmayer, of Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking, said: “It was a pleasure for our team to help out this worthy cause.

“Taking part in events like this provides a real sense of giving something back to the community while letting colleagues enjoy a change to their everyday jobs.

“Helen and Douglas House does not just help the young people in its care, it supports their family and friends too.

“The project was both enjoyable and insightful and events like these are vital in allowing the hospice to carry on its work.”

Assistant warehouse manager for furniture restoration at Helen and Douglas House, Jonathan Barnett, said the team had been a big help.

He said: “It is wonderful for Helen and Douglas House to have so many pieces of furniture now ready for sale.

“To put their work in perspective, if a sideboard sells for £220, this pays for a professional carer for a child or young person staying at the hospice houses for two whole days.

“This is a very valuable contribution.”