A CAR dealer has launched a fundraising effort to help a hospice.

With every vehicle sold, Peter Chaney is donating £50 to the babies' hospice Zoe's Place, at Normanby, near Middlesbrough.

He has previously raffled footballs autographed by Middlesbrough football stars and braved the freezing North Sea on New Year's day for a sponsored dip.

"It's a local charity that receives no Government money and depends on donations to keep its doors open," said Mr Chaney, who owns Lazenby Cars, in High Street, Lazenby, near Redcar, east Cleveland.

Mr Chaney said he has had a good response to his offer to donate £50 from each car sale until Christmas.

He now hopes other businesses will do something for the hospice too.

"It's also about getting Zoe's Place known and anything we can do to help," he said.