A recruitment firm achieved an ‘oarsome’ feat by raising £3,484 for an animal rescue charity by rowing 2,100 miles around Great Britain without leaving its office.

Holt Recruitment Group lived up to its ‘Anything but Ordinary’ strapline by taking on the challenge for its annual charity campaign, this year in aid of  Margaret Green Animal Rescue.

Six indoor rowers were  lined up at the company’s Bournemouth office with a rotating team allocated to each exercise machine.

Each member rowed on average 20 minutes every hour.

To cover the distance, the rowers needed to keep going continuously for a minimum of nine hours a day over five days.

They not only succeeded in the task but also managed to maintain their usual working routine between taking turns to row.

Many of the firm’s clients, and surrounding businesses, also entered teams to help out with the distance including MSA Safety, Media Lounge and Libertas Financial Planning.

Karen Wheeler, Head of Training and Engagement, said: “We always really look forward to our charity initiatives.

“It’s such a big part of the culture here at Holt Recruitment Group and it’s nice to do it for a slightly different cause this year.

“Margaret Green is such an important charity.

“Not only have our efforts raised a tremendous amount of money for them, but it has also brought us closer as a team.

“The energy in the office is incredible and it is great to see everyone giving their all for the cause.”

Last year the Holt Recruitment Group, which specialises in automotive, engineering, manufacturing and executive recruitment, held a 24-hour ‘A Mile an Hour’ marathon.

It raised £3,800 for Hope For Food in Bournemouth.

Stuart Holt, Director, pictured left, said: “There are so many brilliant reasons to do these charity events.

“Seeing the local community bringing in food and drinks to help us out, and our clients and friends coming to put some miles in on the rowers, shows what a real community looks like.

“For me, one of the best things to see is people pushing past their barriers, raising expectations of themselves and what they can achieve.

“Especially when it is for such a worthy cause.

“Margaret Green is doing some amazing things and we’re ecstatic to be able to do our bit to help them out.”

According to the RSPCA, an estimated 2.7 million animals enter UK animal shelters each year.

Of these, 1.2 million are cats, 664,000 dogs and 184,000 other animals.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue has teams dedicated to looking after dogs, cats, horses, as well as a variety of other farm and small animals.

Their staff work around the clock to rescue, provide medical care, feed and rehome as many animals as they possibly can.

• There is still time to donate. Fundraising is through JustGiving. Click here to donate.