WORKERS will be bathing in a vat of custard to raise money for the homeless.

Nationwide kitchen sellers Howdens Joinery carry out an annual charity fundraiser in September to support the Churches Homeless Emergency Support Scheme (CHESS) based in Chelmsford.

Last year, the branch based on Mill Lane in Maldon raised the most money for all their 700 branches in the UK, and this year have pulled out all the stops to come up with a new wacky idea of a custard bath for its staff.

The branch came up with the idea themselves, and will be ordering in a huge bath tub especially for the event.

The crew will be sat in the creamy layers of dessert for more than four hours on Friday.

Mark Ribet, who works for the company, said: “The idea came from our female members of staff who wanted to try something different than your usual fundraising antics.

“It’s the first time we’ve tried something like this before, last year we had our guys strip off to have our legs waxed, which was very amusing for those watching, but less so for us.

“It may seem like a dream come true to dessert lovers, but to be sat in custard for four hours will get quite uncomfortable.”

The branch so far has raised more than £480 for CHESS, and have set their target for beyond £2,000 after the event.

The staff will enjoy their custard bath from 10am to 2pm on Friday.

Mark added: “The funniest thing about it is our manager has said we’ll have to get out, clean up and get back to work for the rest of the day afterwards.

“It’s all for a good cause.”

Visit www.howdens.com.