A NETWORK of hospice home carers in Northallerton has received a £2,000 helping hand from a monthly magazine.

The group of volunteers, who provide a free homesitting and driver service for cancer patients across rural North Yorkshire, enlisted the support of Candis magazine.

Glynis Surrell, of Northallerton, contacted the magazine, which makes regular donations to community projects, in the hope of receiving a cash boost.

"The Hospice Homecare Support Group was set up more than ten years ago in response to a request by the Macmillan Nurses at the Friarage Hospital," said Mrs Surrell.

"They felt a free homesitting service to give carers a break would serve the community better than trying to set up a hospice.

"It has taken an incalculable amount of time, effort and energy to establish and run the services as successfully as they are today.

"Funding the services has always been difficult."