Wightlink is set to help its staff raise money for charity by matching their donations.

Staff from the ferry company have nominated their favourite charities, based on the Isle of Wight and the mainland, and Wightlink has earmarked £10,000 for donations.

The chosen charities are the British Heart Foundation, which focuses on research into heart and circulatory diseases, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Feline Welfare Isle of Wight, URBOND, a Portsmouth charity fostering community integration, and Safer Waves, a charity supporting merchant seafarers who have experienced gender discrimination or sexual harassment.

Wightlink chief executive Keith Greenfield said: "Our colleagues nominated and voted for causes close to their hearts as part of our commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.

"Now, if they organise fundraising events for these charities, they can apply for match funding to boost their totals. We are delighted to support them with a company contribution."

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance director of income and engagement Keith Wilson said: "We rely entirely on the generosity and kindness from people in our community to help us be there for thousands of patients every year."