Canary Wharf office workers have raised £30,000 for good causes by donating their first hour’s pay of 2013 to charity.

The 1,600-strong staff at KPMG, a global accountancy firm, were taking part in a company-wide charity drive to raise money for Shelter, a homelessness charity, and Action for Literacy, which helps people learn how to read.

The firm raised a total of £123,770, which will be split between the two charities.

Head of corporate affairs, Marianne Fallon, said: “We are delighted with the fantastic and generous response from staff which has raised a record amount for these two great causes.

“We are really looking forward to working closely with both charities over the next two years to raise as much money as we can for the vital work that they do.”