AN EAST Durham shopping centre has thanked generous customers for raising thousands of pounds for charities during 2014.

A total £4,854.81 was collected at Dalton Park at Murton, near Peterlee, during the year.

The prime beneficiary of Dalton Park’s fundraising is their nominated charity The Sick Children’s Trust, which provides home-from-home accommodation around the country for families with sick children.

Dalton Park specifically supports the charity’s Crawford House.

The money for The Sick Children’s Trust was raised through collecting pots in store and the special wishing well appeal on the mall area. Monthly collections for other charities also took place throughout the year.

Dalton Park marketing manager Louise Thompson said: “We want to thank our customers and the community for their extremely generous support throughout 2014."