A FUNDRAISING councillor has backed a charity helping people with Alzheimer's.

Hartlepool Borough Council chairman Carl Richardson presented Hartlepool and East Durham Alzheimer's Trust, one of his chairman's charities, with £1,231.

He said: "The trust provides vital help for people with this cruel disease and much-needed support to their families and carers.

"I am delighted to be able to make this contribution, which has been made possible thanks to the generous support of local people at my fundraising events over the past year."

The trust runs several day centres for Alzheimer's sufferers, including one in Heather Grove, Hartlepool, where the money was given to centre manager Joanne Blackwood. She said: "The money will help us to organise lots of interesting and stimulating activities for the people who use our centres."