KIDS at a Bracknell school were given a helping hand during a visit on Friday.

Employees from Hewlett Packard went to see the children at Wooden Hill Primary School, in Staplehurst, and assisted them with making lunch during the morning.They also got involved in baking cookies as part of Give and Gain Day – a national initiative aimed at encouraging company staff to volunteer for community organisations.

In the south east of England, 470 employees swapped the office, factory and store to volunteer in their communities – spending more than 3,200 hours volunteering, worth the equivalent of more than £38,000.

Stephen Howard, chief executive of Business in the Community, which organised the regional initiative, said “Give and Gain Day is an opportunity for businesses, community organisations and schools to celebrate what can be achieved through the power of volunteers.

“Employee volunteering is a win-win, the experience builds skills and motivates employees, while helping meet community needs.”