WHEN lawyer Simon Rhodes wrote to a host of A list celebrities asking them for motivating messages to inspire his staff he wasn't sure what to expect.

But he was thrilled when he received an actual thumb print from Professor Stephen Hawking along with a message telling staff he had always tried to lead as full a life as possible despite the "limitations" of his condition.

Mr Rhodes, 46, fired off 25 letters to some of the most famous names in the country and couldn't believe it when the brilliant physicist replied first.

The married dad-of-two said he was surprised how generous the celebrities were after getting 18 signed photos back but of all the requests he sent off, a response from Professor Hawking was the 'icing on the cake'.

Mr Rhodes outlined in his letters to the A-listers how he wanted an inspirational message from them and asked if they could sign their autograph on a picture.

In return, he would make a donation of £100 to their chosen choice of charity - and described being £1,800 out of pocket as being 'money well spent'.

And Professor Hawking - whose life has been portrayed in the hit film 'The Theory of Everything' - replied saying: "'I have always tried to overcome the limitations of my condition and lead as full a life as possible.

The 73-year-old, who suffers from motor neuron disease, added: "I have travelled the world, from the antarctic to zero gravity."

Mr Rhodes, who is the managing partner at law firm Trethowans, said: "I was pleasantly surprised that so many came back and it's the little bits where they have gone over and above.

"But the one where I sat down and held it because I didn't expect to get it was Stephen Hawking. It made me smile the most.

"It had another edge and it was the icing on the cake."

Mr Rhodes, from Southampton, first came up with the idea last year to motivate the 150-strong staff but wanted to use words that were not 'corporate speak'.

So over a course of three months, he decided to read through books, magazines and articles to find inspiration quotes from famous people which 'jumped off the page' to him.

Once he had compiled a list, he posted the letters with a cardboard tube for celebrities to post back their signed photograph in.

He said: "We all look at these motivational messages like 'sell more' and 'buy more' but they can have the opposite effect.

"I wanted something that would motivate and the only way I thought I could do that was not by having our words.

"So I dug out the quotes and wrote to them all saying I was trying to motivate the next generation of our staff.

"I told them I have read what they have said and how I thought it was motivational and said that if they were able to send a signed photograph with a message to our staff at Trethowans I will give £100 to their favourite charity."

The quotes and photographs of each of the celebrities have now been split between their new office in Southampton and a second office in Salisbury, where they have been hung on the walls of the staff seating area.

Mr Rhodes added: "The people I chose have all made a big impact on the world and come out on top, often against great adversity.

"Their achievements have inspired me and I hope they will continue to inspire others too.

"Professor Hawking was actually one of the first to reply and naturally wants his donation to go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

"The feedback from Trethowans staff and visitors to the new office has been very positive."