THE Mayor of Durham is backing a campaign to encourage more people to take up volunteering.

Ray Gibbon, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Witton Gilbert, will be at the first open evening held by the recently established Durham Volunteer Bureau.

The bureau, which is the Mayor's chosen charity, is holding the event on Wednesday, between 6pm and 8pm, in Durham Town Hall.

The bureau, in the Millennium City development, matches volunteers with the community organisations and charities that need their help.

Councillor Gibbon is himself a volunteer with the bureau and also the city's Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as being president of Witton Gilbert Community Centre and a steward at his local Methodist Church.

"Volunteering gives you a great feeling of belonging to your community. Volunteering gets you involved and gives you a great deal of satisfaction. It sounds trite but it is true. You can go home feeling good,'' he said.

"There is also the social side of volunteer work. I have a wider circle of friends now because of volunteering. It has generally enriched life.''

The bureau has up to 110 groups looking for volunteers in areas ranging from befriending and counselling to gardening.

"Volunteering is not just about helping good causes but your personal development as well,'' said bureau co-ordinator Rhianne Jones.

"The evening is open to members of the public who are thinking about volunteering and would like further information.

"They will be able to talk to existing volunteers to find out what volunteering is really like.

"And it will be an opportunity for our existing volunteers to come along and meet each other, to share experiences and feel part of a support network.''

So far, the Mayor's Appeal has raised about £5,000.

For further information call the bureau on 0191-383 1944.