MARIE Curie Cancer Care has announced that the 45 people who abseiled from Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge earlier this month have raised more than £5,500.

The money will fund nursing care for people with cancer and their families in Teesside and North Yorkshire. Susie Fothergill, from the charity, said: "People were fantastic on the day, and the effort they put into the abseil was only equalled by the brilliant fundraising. We are also thankful for the support given to Marie Curie by the council and the bridge authorities." For information about other fundraising events in support of Marie Curie Cancer Care, call 01904 621000.

WALKS WELCOME: The Cleveland branch of the Ramblers' Association is holding a Welcome to Walking event on Sunday. Those taking part in the six-mile stroll will be offered 20 per cent discount on their first year's subscription to the association. The walk begins at 2pm at Quarry Lane, off the A174/A1085 roundabout, at Marske. Contact David Leyshon on (01642) 553796 for more information.

HOME WORK: Working from home will be examined at a seminar in Middlesbrough. The one-day conference, on Friday, September 27, is at the University of Teesside's Centre for Enterprise, in Victoria Road. The results of a year-long study into 125 people who work from home will be presented by psychology lecturer Dr Jeanne Moore.

MARTIAL ARTS: A Middlesbrough sports centre is offering Aikido sessions on Sunday mornings. The sessions, at Coulby Newham Leisure Centre, are from 10am to noon and cost £2.80 for Leisure Link holders and £3.20 for others. To find out more, call (01642) 592800.

HEALTH CHECKS: To coincide with blood pressure awareness week, the Asda store in Thornaby is offering customers free blood pressure checks in their instore pharmacy. The sessions run between 10am and 4pm until September 23.

WILDLIFE WALK: The World Wildlife Fund Cleveland Group is organising a walk on Sunday, October 6, as part of a national fundraising campaign. The walk, which will start from the Pinchinthorpe Visitor Centre, will raise money for the charity's Snow Leopard project. Organisers say people will be walking across the country to raise money to help save the animal which numbers fewer than 7,000 across the world. Anybody interested can call Brian on (01287) 637992.

TODDLERS GROUP: Organisers of Zetland Park Mother and Toddler Group, Redcar, have stressed that the voluntary organisation is still open, despite the recent closure of a neighbouring play group. The organisation also needs volunteers and fundraisers. The group meets every Thursday morning, from 10am to 11.30 at its premises opposite Zetland Park.