Police are trying to trace the driver of a car who tried to grab a nine-year-old boy, in North Road, Harelaw, near Stanley, at about 4pm last Thursday. A police spokesman said the boy, who was about 200 yards away from his home, near St Thomas's Church, kicked out at the man, who then drove off. The boy was unable to give a description of the man. A police spokesman said: "The boy was alone at the time, but another motorist may have seen something." Anyone with information is asked to call the police on (01207) 232144.

CHARITY BALL: The Anthony Nolan Trust and the Bubble Appeal are holding a Golden Jubilee Charity Ball, at Brandling House, Gosforth Park, Newcastle, on Friday, May 31, from 7pm to 2am. The evening will include an auction with items including a VIP day on HMS Ark Royal. Tickets, priced £50, including three-course meal, champagne reception and half a bottle of wine, are available from Gill Johnson, The Bubble Appeal Office, Ward 23, Newcastle General Hospital, Westgate Road, Newcastle NE4 6BE.

COPING WITH CANCER: The next meeting of Coping with Cancer (North-East) Sunderland and District Group will take place in Meeting Room 2, Education and Training Centre, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Chester Road, Sunderland, at 6.30pm on Wednesday. Cancer sufferers and their relatives are welcome.

PAIN GROUP: The Durham branch of Action on Pain will hold a meeting in Committee Room 3a, County Hall, Durham, on Tuesday, May 7, at 7pm. Nicky Springford, clinical psychologist at the pain clinic at the University Hospital of North Durham, will be the guest speaker. Everyone is welcome.

CHARITY WALK: Students at New College Durham are organising a sponsored Walk for Life around Durham City to raise money for St Cuthbert's Hospice. The walk will start from New College on May 16.

JUMBLE SALE: A coffee morning and jumble sale will be held at Sherburn Hill Community Centre, on Saturday, at 10.30am, in aid of St Cuthbert's Church, Shadforth. Admission is free, and bacon buns will be on sale.

AUTHOR'S VISIT: Best- selling author Wendy Robertson, who is a former teacher and journalist, will talk about her work and the craft of a novelist when she visits Durham's Clayport Library on Thursday, at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £1.50 including wine and cheese and are available from the library on 0191-386 4003.

PIE AND PEAS: The Chester-le-Street branch of Cancer Research UK will be serving pie and peas at the United Reformed Church, Low Chare, Chester-le-Street, on Friday, from noon. The lunch costs £2.50.

GIVE BLOOD: Blood donor sessions will be held today, in Emmaville Hall, Main Street, Crawcrook, between 2.30pm and 7pm, and tomorrow, in Gateshead Leisure Centre, Alexandra Road, Gateshead, between 2.30pm and 7pm.