AB CHALLENGE: Volunteers are needed for a 30-day charity fitness challenge. The Ab Challenge will be held at Newton Hall community centre, Newton Hall, Durham, in aid of Heel and Toe, the children’s charity. Participants will be set an increasing number of fitness tasks each day for 30 days, starting in late January. Anyone interested in taking part should call 0191-384-8388.

CANCER THANKS: Neville’s Cross Friends of Cancer Research UK wish to thank everyone who donated money to hang a bauble on its Trees of Remembrance in The Gates shopping centre, Durham, over Christmas. A total of £780 was raised, which will all go to the charity. The group would also like to thank The Gates staff for their help.

CARD RECYCLING: People can leave their Christmas cards at Sainsbury’s at the Arnison Centre, Pity Me, Durham, to be recycled until Tuesday, January 14. A box has been placed at the front of the store.

SLIMMING SUCCESS: Members of a Slimming World group at St Andrew’s Church, Coxhoe, have shed 3,761lbs between them over the last 12 months. Lisa Watts, who runs the classes on Monday evenings, said the results were amazing.

TWO WALKS: Durham Ramblers will do a seven-mile walk from Jarrow to Tynemouth on Wednesday (January 8), including fish and chips at South Shields and return via ferry and Metro. The walk starts at the south end of the pedestrian tunnel under the River Tyne at Jarrow at 10.30am. Call Ivy Papps on 0191-384-3164 or 07762-627-026. Another seven-mile walk is planned for Sunday (January 12), around Shadforth. It starts at Hallgarth Church, Shadforth, at 10.30am. Call Tony Royston on 0191-383-2295 or 07776-261-749.

LADY GARDENERS: Houghall Horticultural Society will host a talk by Pat Foster on the subject of Lady Gardeners in the conference hall of East Durham College’s Houghall campus, near Durham, on Tuesday, January 14, at 7.30pm.