A group which supports Marie Curie has raised over £500,000 for the charity.

The Kirkbymoorside Fundraising Group was formed in 1999, meeting regularly and holding small events such as coffee mornings, craft sales, Daffodil Walks, jumble sales and collections. They have also collected funds by supporting other local events such as shoots, open gardens and concerts.

Chair of the group, June Cook MBE, 83, was one of the original co-founders. She said: “We were all so pleased to pass £500,000 – it’s a really big milestone. It just shows that all the little things we’ve done over the years have built to a big sum and made a genuine difference.

“The charity does a wonderful job. I was a district nurse for many years and all through my working life I worked alongside Marie Curie nurses and was always impressed by their dedication. So it’s lovely to be able to support them in their role.”

Marie Curie is the leading end of life care charity, which provides essential frontline nursing and hospice care for people with any terminal illness. It also has a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement.

Gemma Hewitt, Senior Community Fundraiser, said: “It’s a wonderful achievement. The group have worked so hard over the years, and it shows how important even small events can be to our charity.

“£500,000 of fundraising is the equivalent of 25,000 hours of Marie Curie nursing care for people with terminal illness from the comfort of their own home. Which means that hundreds of families have been supported and received our care. Its just exceptional and we can’t thank them enough.”

“On top of that, they’re a really lovely group -so very friendly and welcoming, June told me that they are all now lifelong friends and support each other personally through the years”

Gemma presented the 18 members of the group with thank you cards from Marie Curie nurses in the area, as well as medals and certificates to recognise their efforts.

June added: All of the group are so dedicated, and we are very grateful that we have such tremendous and loyal support in the area.”

The group are always looking to welcome more members, and anyone interested can contact yorkshire@mariecurie.org.uk

Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity. The charity provides essential frontline nursing and hospice care for people with any terminal illness, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK. Marie Curie is committed to sharing its expertise to improve quality of care and ensuring that everyone has a good end of life experience. Marie Curie is calling for recognition and sustainable funding of end of life care and bereavement support.