WORKERS from across the country converged on Nationwide Building Society's annual Employee Community Awards ceremony where the Swindon-based company was well represented.

Ian Smith was honoured as Best Community Ambassador for his continuously irreverent fundraising ideas. He has already run half marathons in Bath and Bristol and was part of a team that entered the Microsoft Challenger's Trophy, where competitors had to complete a series of mental and physical challenges over three days.

Part of the task was to raise funds for the NSPCC with each team setting themselves a £10,000 target. Ian helped organise a charity football match and wine-tasting evening and managed to raise a staggering £21,836.

The awards ceremony was held at Nationwide's training and conference centre in High Wycombe and was compared by Eastenders' Mark Fowler, actor Todd Carty.

Nationwide divisional director Robin Bailey said: "I'm really proud of the fact our employees have put so much time and effort into making a real difference to their local communities. As a building society, Nationwide has grown from the local communities it serves and takes great pleasure in celebrating the Employee Community Awards."

The Special Achievement Team Award went to the programme, design and management, which have been involved in both community work and fundraising. The entire team volunteered more than 50 days to the RSPB to assist with conservation activities and improving parks for the benefit of the visiting public.

In addition a team of six walkers, backed by five support crew, climbed the three highest mountains in the UK in last year's Three Peaks Challenge in less than 24-hours to raise more than £5,000 for the Mitchemp Trust a Swindon-based charity that allows disadvantaged youngsters from across the county the chance to participate in outdoor adventure camps.

Surprise guest, actor Todd Carty who plays Eastender Mark Fowler in the BBC One soap, presented the winners with their awards.