THE chairman of Wear Valley District Council presented a cheque for £4,153 to Crook and District Parent Carers Association.

Councillor Eddie Murphy named the charity as the recipient of his year of fundraising in office. He handed over the cheque during a presentation at Bank Foot Community Centre, in Crook. He said: "I am so pleased to help this charity because I have been involved with them for many years and they are very close to my heart.

"The council chooses a different charity every year to donate to and it wasn't hard to pick this one, they do a fantastic job with local children." Association chairwoman Christine Berry said: "We are so grateful to Eddie and Wear Valley District Council for choosing us to donate to, he has been involved with us for a while now and we can't thank him enough.

"We will use the cash to buy new toys and equipment as well as funding trips to places such as Flamingo Land - the children are all very happy."

Crook and District Parent Carers Association is open to all parents and children under the age of 18.

There is a weekly youth club on Tuesday from 5.30pm, and the association is always looking for new members. Call Mrs Berry on 07886-016215.