Staff at Huddersfield’s Yorkshire Building Society branches are celebrating the end of the most successful charity partnership in its 150 year history.

The society’s eight local branches - which includes Lindley and the town centre - have helped raise more than £350,000. Money has been donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

In the town staff organised numerous events to raise cash. Across the two years the Huddersfield branches held raffles, sold limited edition goodies and held fundraising days dedicated to the charity. Their efforts and the support of customers helped them raise £16,379.

In 2012 the Society launched its Come Rain or Shine Charity of the Year campaign for RNLI. It raised a total of £200,000, which included a significant contribution from the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation. Due to the success of the campaign it continued into 2013.

Colleagues in Huddersfield contributed to amassing a further £150,000.

Chris Pilling, Yorkshire Building Society’s chief executive officer, said: “Across our two year partnership with RNLI, the commitment that our staff and members have shown across Huddersfield proves that this is a charity important across all communities. This has been highlighted on the last few months of horrific weather where we have seen the key role the RNLI has played in keeping people safe.”

The money raised by the Society will be used to help train even more vital volunteers – the £350,000 donated over two years will train 278 crew members.

RNLI chief executive Paul Boissier said: “The RNLI relies on generous donations to continue its lifesaving service. We are extremely grateful to Yorkshire Building Society, its members and colleagues, for their outstanding support. Their dedication and enthusiasm over the past two years has resulted in a fantastic fundraising achievement.”