IN SPITE of a difficult year for charities, Marie Curie’s Wensleydale Fundraising Group has managed to bank £2,553 so far.

Much of this total was as a result of group efforts, with the majority of the income resulting from events such as Ali Torode's Yorkshire Day Tea Party, Seb Pink's plant sales, Redmire's Summer Gift and Craft Day, Step-up for Marie Curie, Campbell's donation from plastic bag sales and a JustGiving page, plus random donations dropped through their doors.

Now with Christmas approaching and success selling pre-ordered wreaths last year which raised £687 – the equivalent to 34 hours of nursing care – the group has decided to do it all again.

The cost of a simple wreath is £11, and for a decorated wreath, £16 with approximately 40 per cent of the price going to the local Marie Curie Nursing Service. Wreaths must be paid for in advance, by cash, cheque payable to Marie Curie, or BACS to the group bank account; full details are on the

order form. Call 01969 623813 or 623533, or e-mail wensleydale.mariecurie@gmail.com by noon on November 24 for more information or to order.

The wreaths will be available for collection from 5 Cliff Drive, Leyburn, DL8 5EX on Saturday, December 4, times to be arranged.

A spokeswoman for the fundraising group said: “Thank you to all who enable Marie Curie nurses to continue caring for those who are terminally ill. Money raised locally is used locally. Marie Curie nurses visit homes throughout Wensleydale, up to and beyond Hawes and across the Dales communities."