CAR dealership colleagues lent a charity their support by taking donations to work yesterday.

Staff at Reg Vardy's five dealerships on Wearside and at Houghton House, Doxford Park, Sunderland, gave cash as part of Macmillan Cancer Relief's Bring a Pound to Work Day.

Among the first to offer a donation was Leighton Andrews, a technician at the group's Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealership in Wessington Way, Sunderland, whose son Calum, seven, underwent a bone marrow transplant after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

Mr Andrews said: "We had a lot of contact with Macmillan Cancer Relief nurses and they really helped us, so we always try to give something back when we can."

Sir Peter Vardy, the firm's chief executive, said: "Macmillan Cancer Relief does a fantastic job and colleagues in our dealerships and at Houghton House were delighted to get behind this appeal."

The national Bring a Pound to Work Day was organised in conjunction with Radio Investments, which supported the event in Sunderland through its Sun FM station.

Reg Vardy is also helping the charity by donating a new Citroen C3 car to Halifax Estate Agents for a prize draw.

Tickets will go on sale to Halifax staff and their families and friends next month, and the draw will take place on September 10.