A SOCIAL club in north Durham has raised more than £1,000 for members of the military wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Charity events at Dipton Workingmen's Club has raised of £1,366 for Help for Heroes.

Club chairman Dave Cleghorn said members had rallied round to help the cause.

He said: "We had a packed function room for fundraising nights.

"We had an auction where one prize was the hire of horses and a carriage. One of our members successfully bid and hired it for Father's Day.

"Five more members did a Backward Walk from Annfield Plain to Dipton.

"One little girl emptied her piggy bank.

"She had been saving money for her holidays but decided to give the charity her money instead, which was a lovely gesture."

The charity was set up in 2007 by a group of friends and service relations who wanted to help soldiers wounded in the current conflicts.

Mr Cleghorn said: "The club chooses a charity each year to raise money for, and this year we chose Help for Heroes.

"Quite a few local lads are in Afghanisthan. It has been a popular cause this year."