STAFF are a building society in Consett have agreed to a second year of fundraising for a north Durham hospice.

Last year, the Middle Street branch of Newcastle Building Society raised £1,864 for Willow Burn Hospice, near Lanchester.

The company has announced the hospice, which provides palliative case for people with life-limiting illnesses, will be retained as its dedicated charity for 2015.

The hospice offers a range of services to patients and their families in the north Durham area and relies on donations to meet most of its annual running costs.

Branch manager Rachel Benford said: “It's important for us to do as much as we can to support the communities in which we operate.

"Willow Burn Hospice proved a very popular local cause with both staff and customers, and we'll all be doing as much as we can to raise even more this year."

It was initially adopted by the Consett branch team as part of The Newcastle’s ongoing ‘Cornerstone of the Community’ campaign, through which individual branches provide support to organisations and good causes in their local areas, which include a range of community charities, hospices, schools and voluntary organisations.

As part of last year's fundraising drive, Ms Benford and senior customer adviser Stephen Patterson took on the challenge of the Great North Run, finishing in two hours 48 minutes, and two hours one minute respectively.

Funds will be raised for Willow Burn this year through a range of in-branch activities through the year, including cake bakes, book sales and competitions.