TOP business chiefs rolled up their sleeves to help kids with reading and the homeless at their day centre in London’s deprived East End. Staff from Lloyd’s insurance market volunteered helped 20 different charities and organisations as the global corporation took part in Helping Hands week

TOP business chiefs joined their staff when they rolled up their sleeves to help kids with reading in school and the homeless at their day centre in London's deprived East End.

Staff from Lloyd's insurance market around the world volunteered nearly 800 hours by running, cycled, abseiling and other activities to help 20 different charities and organisations as the global corporation took part in Helping Hands week.

Lloyd's Chairman Lord Levene kicked off the event in the East End volunteering at Christchurch Primary School in Brick Lane, helping eight-year-olds with their reading.

"It was a pleasure joining the youngsters," he said. "We've had employees visiting schools in Tower Hamlets for many years, helping with their reading and maths."

Chief executive Richard Ward also got involved helping out at Whitechapel Mission, a centre that cares for the poor and homeless.

He said: "I saw the amazing work the Whitechapel Mission does. It was a humbling, eye-opening experience."

Staff also volunteered at Gorsefield rural studies centre run for Tower Hamlets' schools, cleared up a run-down East End park and gave an urban city farm a new lease of life.

Now they're planning a 'dress down' day to raise money for Tower Hamlets Age Concern.