A CANCER care charity is "desperate'' for fundraisers to support its help for the dying.

Marie Curie Cancer Care, which provides free nursing care for terminally ill cancer patients in their own homes, has launched an appeal for helpers in Hartlepool, Stockton and Billingham.

Each year, the local fundraising office has to gather more than £190,000. Collection tins have to raise £15,000 of that.

Shops, businesses and pubs across Teesside are being urged to take a collecting tin.

Linda McDonough, the charity's fundraising manager for the area, said the charity "is desperate to raise funds and awareness of its work and is appealing for people to come forward to help increase the number of collection tins in the area".

She said: "Becoming a volunteer for the charity does not mean that people have to dedicate time to the charity each week. Once people have put the collection tins out, they are not required to do anything until they are full."

Once the tin is full, the money is banked.

Ms McDonough said: "Collection tins are only emptied twice a year. It is not a job that requires a large amount of someone's time, but the money raised from them is invaluable to the charity."

Anyone interested in becoming a collection box volunteer can contact Ms McDonough on 0191-382-3311.