A FUNDRAISINGscheme has donated more than £12,000 to Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Health Through Warmth, an npower initiative which trains community workers to spot the life-threatening risks of living in cold, damp homes, pledged to donate £5 to the charity for every referral received in Middlesbrough.

A total of 2,400 referrals were made in the six months after the launch of the programme in the town.

The project has trained thousands of health workers, housing officers, firefighters and voluntary staff to identify people whose health could be improved by energy efficient heating equipment.

Elaine Midwinter, Health Through Warmth manager, said: "By giving an incentive of a £5 donation with our referral scheme, it has helped to encourage an increase in submissions and, at the same time, generate substantial funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

"The money raised will contribute greatly in helping the charity to continue to be there for one million people currently living with the disease."

Macmillan Cancer Relief's corporate fundraiser, Michelle Stromborg, said: "To receive £12,000 is tremendous and every penny raised through the scheme will help ensure we continue to support people living with cancer.

"This money will help us to develop our cancer care services, which bring specialist care, emotional support, information and even direct financial help to those who need it."

According to npower, 46,000 people die every year from cold and damp related illnesses, many of which could be prevented.