BUSINESSES from across Worcestershire recently swapped suits for overalls and got behind the wheel in aid of a popular charity.

Redditch-based chartered accountants Hayward Wright brought 64 participants from 16 local businesses together for an annual go-karting event in aid of Sight Concern Worcestershire – one of the firm’s chosen charities.

The event, at Grand Prix Karting in Birmingham, raised £1,400 for the charity which will go toward helping blind and partially sighted people in the county lead independent lives.

The charity has more than 300 volunteers and helps 200 people every year live independently in their own homes as well as hundreds of others who attend various support groups and activities.

The gruelling 90-minute endurance race was won by Hewett Recruitment who reached more than 100 laps and took home the winners medals and champagne.

Second place went to motor dealership Hills Ford while supply chain consultants Venator Solutions took third spot on the podium.

Hayward Wright’s managing director Alistair Hayward-Wright said: “We hold many charity events but there’s no doubt that this was one of the most popular with everyone keen to see if they could be the next Lewis Hamilton.

“We didn’t uncover any future F1 stars but we did raise a lot of money for charity as well as awareness of the great work that Jenny Gage and the team Sight Concern Worcestershire do to help hundreds of people to live independent lives.

“The efforts and hard work of their army of volunteers make an enormous difference to blind and partially sighted people."

She added: “I’d like to thank everyone again for taking part and supporting the event."