A STONEHOUSE-based company rolled out the red carpet to host a fundraising tea party fit for royalty for a charity fighting against meningitis.

Telecoms company Lister Unified Communications has launched a mobile phone recycling scheme for Meningitis Now and kicked off the partnership with one of the charity’s Time 4 Tea events.

Staff wore royal outfits for the party at their offices on Friday, September 4 and took part in competitions whilst enjoying tea and cake.

King Henry the eighth, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Queen of Hearts were among the royal attendants.

Richard Snell, marketing manager at Lister Unified Communications, said: “The right royal tea party seemed like an excellent way to launch the charity mobile phone recycling scheme that we have partnered with Meningitis Now to deliver.

“We are taking in all second-hand mobile phones, both from an environmental perspective but also a charitable one, to raise money for this worthy cause.”

Mobile phone recycling bins are in the offices at Lister Unified Communications and Meningitis Now with other venues to be confirmed.

“Please let us have your old unwanted mobiles”, Richard added. “The more people donate the more money we can raise for this brilliant charity”.

Sally Gillespie, Meningitis Now’s senior community fundraiser, said: “We’re really grateful that Lister Unified Communications has chosen to support us in this way and give something back within their local community.

“Many of those working there remember the impact meningitis had in the Stonehouse and Stroud area as they were growing up.

“We hope they will have fun fundraising to fight the disease.”