A RECORD amount has been collected for Yorkshire Cancer Research, thanks to the help of the Ryedale Lions.

The Pickering Committee of Yorkshire Cancer Research held their annual house to house collection in the town and surrounding villages in March.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of Roy Foggin from Lions and nine other members who helped with the collection a record £5,400 was raised.

Yorkshire Cancer Research's chairman Ken Chadwick, said: "This says a great deal about the generosity of people in and around Pickering and of the collectors who, each year, give their time and effort to raise money, all of which will be used to fund the research needed to find cures for cancer.

“We are particularly grateful to Ryedale Lions, whose help has enabled us to collect in areas where previously we have had no-one"

Ken said that support from the villages has been fantastic and made up a significant part of the total.

“However, there are some villages which are not covered due to a lack of resident collectors,“ he added.

“In particular, I would appeal to residents in Cropton, Appleton-le- Moors, Hutton-le- Hole, Spaunton, Lastingham, Allerston and Ebberston and anyone in those villages who would like to help next year would be warmly welcomed.”

Lion's President Vic Hall, said: "We are delighted to have been able to support Yorkshire Cancer Research and hope to be able to do so in future years.

“Almost every one is in some way affected by cancer at some time in their lives, if not themselves, then friends, relatives, acquaintances or work colleagues, and every £1 raised is one small step to finding cures for this dreadful disease."

Yorkshire Cancer Research was founded in the 1920's mainly for the benefit of Yorkshire people. Based in Harrogate, over the past five years, they have invested over £30 million in the universities and teaching hospitals in the county and now fund more than 200 internationally recognised scientists and clinicians all dedicated to finding cures for cancer.

Anyone who would like to join the Pickering team to help next March, or at the next Flag day collection in the town on Saturday, July 19 should phone Graham Higgins on 01751 472968.