CHARITY DONATION: Darchem Engineering, based in Stockton, has raised £4,400 for deserving causes in the region after its staff took part in a charity raffle organised by the firm’s IT department. A donation of £1,700 was made to the Butterwick Hospice on Teesside, while £2,700 was given to Help for Heroes, a charity which helps wounded ex-forces personnel.

CO-OP FUNDRAISER: The Co-operative has donated a total of £20,000 to Butterwick Hospice, in Stockton on Tees, following a year of fundraising across the region. Members of staff from food stores across the region hosted a series of events, including raffles, fancy dress days, cake sales and in-store fundraising, totalling £18,000. In addition, The Co-operative Group’s Durham Area Committee donated another £2,000 to the charity.