NORTH YORKSHIRE: Red Cross volunteers collecting for the tsunami disaster appeal collected more than £20,000 in North Yorkshire at the weekend.

They were out in force at Tesco stores in Thirsk, Northallerton and Catterick, among others. Thirsk was the top fundraiser, bringing in £2,495. Other collections took place in York, bringing the final total to £20,630.15. Red Cross Yorkshire fundraising manager Mark Henderson said: "It's absolutely phenomenal. It is just so much more than we could have expected."

Skelton: The Church Shop, in Skelton, east Cleveland, which is run by All Saints Church, is giving 20 per cent of its takings, as well as clothes and other essential items. The shop is also acting as a collection point for those who would like to contribute to the appeal, which has so far raised £797. The shop is open Monday to Saturday and run entirely by volunteers.

CHESTER-LE-STREET: St Cuthbert's Phoenix Club will hold an all-day bring and buy sale on Friday, January 21, in St Cuthbert's Coffee Shop, Ropery Lane, Chester-le- Street, between 10am and 5pm. Coffee will be available from 10am to noon, light lunches will be served from noon to 2pm and afternoon teas from 2 to 5pm.

Consett: Collections among audiences at the final four performances of the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Empire Theatre, in Consett, County Durham, raised more than £800. The theatre management thanks everyone who contributed.

Bishop Auckland: Regulars at The Welcome Inn, in Waldron Street, Bishop Auckland, raised £630 on Saturday, helped by vocalist Paul Sharpe, who sang free of charge and landlord Tony Johnson, who donated cash to the value of his fee.

BEARPARK: A bring and buy sale will be held at Bearpark Community Centre, near Durham, on Friday, from 10am to 3pm. Most items will be on sale for 50p or less and visitors are invited to bring unwanted items for sale on the day.

Malton: St Leonard and St Mary's RC Church, in Malton, North Yorkshire, collected £3,134 for international aid agency Cafod during its weekend services, which will increase by £637 thanks to parishioners opting to use the Inland Revenue's gift-aid scheme.

HELMSLEY: The Ryedale Lions is donating £3,000, which was raised through a street collection in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, over the weekend, and ten collections in local villages before Christmas.

BRANCEPETH: People at Brancepeth, near Durham City, raised £300 during a party celebrating the 80th anniversary of their village hall.

NORTH-EAST: The seven Springs fitness clubs in the North East are to stage a series of charity nights. Also, joining fees paid by new members up to the end of January - a minimum of £25 each - will go the disaster relief fund.

TOW LAW: Children at Blessed John Duckett RC Primary School, in Tow Law, County Durham, came to school dressed in pyjamas on Friday and raised £132.

CONSETT: About 40 children from The Nursery, Teasdale Street, Consett, County Durham, will take part in a sponsored toddle on Thursday, January 20.

Easington: Children at Easington Community School, in east Durham, have organised a non-uniform day on Friday, January 14 to raise money for the tsunami appeal.

CONSETT: Staff and customers at Trades nightclub in John Street, Consett, County Durham, raised £1,390 during collections on New Year's Eve and January 2.

esh winning: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School, in Esh Winning, near Durham, will host a coffee afternoon on Thursday, January 20, at 2.45pm, in the school hall.

Spennymoor: Shoppers at Asda supermarket, in Spennymoor, County Durham, have donated £6,000.

WILLINGTON: Scholarest staff from Parkside School, in Willington, County Durham, will hold a coffee morning in the dining hall on Saturday, from 10am to noon.