VOLUNTEERS from Helmsley were thanked with special awards for their long service to Yorkshire Cancer Research during an annual meeting.

Members of the charity’s 34 local voluntary groups attended the meeting in Harrogate, where they were thanked for their dedication to the charity and updated on the vital research and community health projects they have helped to fund.

Groups marking significant anniversaries in 2018 were presented with special awards, including the Helmsley committee which has been fundraising for Yorkshire Cancer Research for 50 years.

Alex Green, relationships manager at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “We are extremely grateful to all of the charity’s volunteers. From carrying out street collections to organising extravagant balls, their endeavours to raise money are always a great success.

“Many of the groups were formed decades ago but they continue to fundraise with creativity, enthusiasm and a huge amount of dedication to the cause.

“They are the backbone of our charity and without them our work simply wouldn’t be possible.”