A COMPANY finance team turned its attention away from the business books and towards sponsorship forms in aid of a national charity.

Colleagues from property, energy and waste management firm HJ Banks' head office, at West Cornforth and friends raised £6,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The group took on the challenge of completing last year's Great North Run as part of a their 2005 New Year fitness resolution and have renewed their efforts this year to continue supporting the charity.

The team chose to donate the money they raised to the cancer charity in memory of a friend of runners Lyn Binns and Alison Kelly who died of the disease last year.

Mrs Binns said: "Everyone was so happy to raise so much money for Macmillan because most people have been touched by cancer.

"Thanks to everyone who sponsored us, we had a lot of support, especially from local businesses which helped us exceed our target of £5,000.

"We hope to do the 2006 Great North Run as well."