MEMBERS of staff East Durham Homes have raised more than £5,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Workers arranged a number of events including dress down days, sponsored cycle rides and runs, tombolas, raffles, cake sales and quizzes to raise the cash for the Chair’s Charity.

The funds raised will support the Newcastle Cancer Centre at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, which is supported by Cancer Research UK.

The charity was chosen as many staff, their families or friends have been affected by cancer.

East Durham Homes also lost a much loved friend and colleague, Joanne Lormor, who sadly died from cancer in February.

The cheque for £5,618 was presented to Marissa Buckingham, fundraising manager from Cancer Research UK.

East Durham Homes chair Paul Morgan said: “I would like to personally thank everyone who has been involved in fundraising events this year for this very worthwhile cause.

“The sum raised is a record for the Chair’s Charity and shows just how much this charity means to people.”

Ms Buckingham said: “East Durham Homes has raised a fantastic amount of money for Cancer Research UK.

“This money will help our scientists, doctors and nurses develop new cancer treatments here in the North-East.

“Thanks to research, cancer survival has doubled in the last 40 years.

“Our ambition is to accelerate this progress and see three quarters of patients surviving the disease within the next 20 years.

“Everyone who is fundraising and supporting the charity is helping make this ambition a reality.”