CARE and support charity Marie Curie has launched a new fund-raising group in Ponteland and is looking to recruit more volunteers.

The first meeting of the new group took place on Tuesday at the Post Box Cafe in Ponteland.

Marie Curie community fund-raiser for the North-East and Cumbria, Katie Searles, said: “The groups are for people who want to help out in their local community. We do all sorts of fund-raising activities, from tea parties and collections to bake sales.

“We already have fantastic support from the people of Ponteland and there is a lovely community feel here, so we thought it was the perfect place to set up a group.”

Money raised from the group’s efforts will go towards Marie Curie’s nursing service across the North-East, which provides care and support for people with terminal illness and their families.

Groups meet every four to six weeks and are flexible; those interested can do as much or as little as they like.

Katie added: “The atmosphere of the groups is really nice. Usually they are full of like-minded people who want to do something in the community and members end up becoming really good friends.

The group already has a treasurer and is looking for a chair and secretary, as well as enthusiastic members.