HEALTH services in York have benefited from almost £500,000 thanks to charitable donations in one six-month period.

A total of £276,000 was received in donations between March and September last year, a further £100,000 came from legacies, and interest and dividends brought the figure up to £446,000. The funding has helped with investments in a number of areas.

CURATE'S MOVE: A Harrogate curate has been appointed to a new post in Leeds. The Reverend Clare MacLaren, currently curate at St John's Church, Bilton, is also taking over as team vicar at St Paul's, Whinmoor.

SWEET MUSIC: Harrogate's Deanery Players are staging a song and dance musical, Sugar, at the town's theatre from Tuesday until Saturday. The show is adapted from the Hollywood film, Some Like it Hot. Ticket details are available on (01423) 502116.

ARTS FESTIVAL: Harrogate Competitive Festival of Music, Speech and Drama starts next Friday, at St John Fisher High School, Hookstone Drive. The opening session runs until March 2 with others from March 7 to 9 and 14 to 16. Classes range from toddlers to pensioners.

RECRUITS SOUGHT: The Cancer Research UK shop on Northallerton's High Street is seeking a treasurer to help with book-keeping every Friday afternoon and another volunteer to act as the store's till operator, particularly to cover Tuesday afternoons. Anyone able to help is asked to contact (01609) 780295.

FUN NIGHT: Music and comedy trio Teaze will be performing at the RAFA Club, in Northallerton, on March 21, at 8pm. Tickets cost £6, including pie and peas. The event has been arranged by the Hambleton and Richmondshire branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.