It was a full-body workout for HSBC Bermuda staff when they competed in the zorb racing element of the Xtreme Sports Games.

Propelling themselves forward inside a giant inflatable zorb was not easy, but it was the game the team enjoyed the most during the third annual corporate games event.

HSBC won the crazy sports competition, beating 19 other teams and securing a $5,000 prize for its chosen charity The Reading Clinic.

Tiffany Rollins, who led the HSBC team, said: “We had an amazing time. We strategised and used our strengths to win. It is definitely a team-building event, and an opportunity to give back to the community.”

Other participants included Clarien Bank, Digicel, BCB, Correia Construction, JLT, Butterfield & Vallis, and last year’s champions KPMG. HSBC scored 1,491 points to win, with Butterfield Bank in second place with 1,319.

The event is now in its third year and was held at the National Sports Centre’s North Field on April 7. The games ranged from football darts, human hungry hippo and bubble football, to volleypong and dodge ball.

Sean Dunkley, a senior manager at HSBC Bermuda, was part of the winning team. He praised the event and said that from the bank’s perspective it had benefits such as bringing together staff members from different departments who normally had little or no interaction, and allowing them to collaborate and support each other in a competitive setting. He said it was also an opportunity to meet representatives of other businesses on the island in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

The winning team nominates the charity that receives the $5,000 prize. The Reading Clinic was a natural choice for HSBC Bermuda, which all ready supports the charity.

Glenn Faries, the executive director of The Reading Clinic, and Amy De Costa, reading programme co-ordinator, accepted the donation this week.

Dr Faries said: “HSBC sponsors one of our programmes. We are honoured to have been chosen as their nominated charity at this event. This donation will be used to provide tutoring services for children whose families can’t afford to pay [the fees].”

Event organiser Marquel Waldron, of Xtreme Sports Ltd, said the games were well received. He added: “The teams are getting more competitive. It was a great day. When I first thought of putting on the event, I did not expect this result. It has become an eagerly anticipated experience. We had 20 teams again this year, and the interest is always there from other teams.”

Since founding Xtreme Sports, Mr Waldron has arranged fun day events for families, community groups, and team-building days for companies and organisations. He said: “Everything is going well. We are doing birthday parties, summer camps and other rentals. It is good to give Bermuda something different.”

Xtreme Sports Ltd has a website at http://xtremesports.bm