HALF-term holiday fun will benefit sick children.

More than 500 children enjoyed the Little Bishops Play Palace, which ran in a unit at the Prince Bishops shopping centre, Durham, from February 15 to 23.

The initiative raised £500 for the Treetops children’s ward at the city’s University Hospital of North Durham, which the shopping complex then matched, taking the total to £1,000.

Prince Bishops manager Richard Toynbee said: “We are always seeking ways to support local charities and the Treetops children’s ward is the perfect choice, especially as many events we run are aimed at young children and their families.

“We saw a fantastic response from the public and we will definitely be looking to host similar and more regular events in the future, with plenty already planned for this year.”