COUNCIL staff helped to raise more than £2,000 for charity by taking part in a challenge weekend.

More than 50 Sunderland City Council employees spent two days at the council's Derwent Hill outdoor activities centre in the Lake District.

Eight teams, including one from the city's Macmillan Nurses, took part in canoeing, climbing, orienteering, rope courses and going on a trapeze, raising at least £250 each in sponsorship, for Sunderland Mayor Ken Murray's chosen charities, Macmillan Nurses and the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals.

Council communications officer Fran Jobling said: "Everyone had a great weekend, but the most important thing is that all our efforts managed to raise more than £2,000."

Macmillan Nurse urology specialist Bronia Thomas said: "It was a brilliant weekend. Everybody got together so well to raise money and I must give a lot of thanks to all those in my team."