East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) has a launched a new initiative to encourage businesses across the region to offer a helping hand.

The Bring a Bag to Work scheme asks employees to donate items that can be sold in EACH shops to help fund the care and support they provide to children, young people and families.

Donations including good-quality clothing, bric-a-brac, books, toys, jewellery, DVDs and small electrical items are welcomed.

Sarah Throssell, EACH retail area manager, said: 'Retail income is a very lucrative income stream for EACH. In the past financial year EACH shops generated an impressive profit of £701,445 which all goes towards helping local families make the most of their precious time together.

'This fundraising initiative is so simple, which we hope will make it so appealing. It's a way for businesses to easily show their support to a vital local charity.'

Every year EACH needs to raise £6m - £16,000 a day - to continue providing people with short break care, emotional and psychological support, care at the end of life and activities and one local business could not wait to get on board.

Zenith Home is the first company to sign up to the initiative and EACH has already collected donations from the Norwich office which will be on sale at the new EACH Norwich charity shop in Aylsham Road which former Norwich City footballer Darren Eadie opened on Friday.

Gary Burton, Zenith Home managing director, said: 'We're really proud to be supporting EACH with the nook appeal and pleased to be helping them with their fundraising activity.'