A CANCER charity is hoping to set up new fundraising groups in the area.

Marie Curie already has a local fundraising group in Durham, whose members helped it raise more than £3,500 as part of the Great Daffodil Appeal.

Community fundraiser Charlotte Campbell said the charity hoped to start new groups across County Durham.

The Great Daffodil Appeal has run since the beginning of March, with volunteer collectors out and about in Durham selling daffodil pins.

The total raised locally was £3,518.25.

Ms Campbell said: “Thank you to everyone in Durham who has supported Marie Curie and this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal.

“From our brilliant volunteer collectors, to everyone who gave what they could to support our nurses caring for people with a terminal illness – I want to say a big, heartfelt thank you.

“The Great Daffodil Appeal is vital in helping Marie Curie nurse care for people with terminal illnesses in their final hours and everyone’s support will make a real difference.

“We currently have a local fundraising group in Durham dedicated to supporting the work our Marie Curie nurses do in the area. We are also looking to set up more local fundraising groups across County Durham.”

Marie Curie nurses care for people with terminal illnesses in their homes and at a hospice in Newcastle. Anyone interested is asked to call the charity on 0191-219-1241.