The League of Friends of Ripon Hospitals and Ripon Age Concern have received cheques for £2,500 each following a series of fundraising events held by staff at Wolseley's Ripon offices.

Services Director Julie Cotton said: "It was wonderful to be able to hand over so much to each of the charities and to know that this money will directly benefit people in Ripon.

"I would like to thank every single member of our staff here at our Ripon office for the efforts they have made towards this achievement – it was a super endeavour."

'tremendously grateful'

League of Friends spokesman Jacqui Allinson said: "We are tremendously grateful to Wolseley employees for this generous donation; it will be used to buy a specialist reclining chair and a pressure relieving mattress for the palliative care unit at Ripon Hospital."

The money given to Age Concern has been earmarked for the further development of 'Daybreak' activities and befriending services to help reduce loneliness and social isolation among older people in the Ripon area.

Manager Catharine Green said: "This much-needed money has arrived at just the right time for us to offer additional help to those in need, especially during the winter months. We are thrilled to receive this donation and extremely grateful to the staff of Wolseley UK."

Wolseley office staff have pledged to continue fundraising for the local community during 2010.