FOUR North-East charities have received a cash windfall thanks to a car plant's staff.

A total of £13,000 was raised at the Nissan plant in Sunderland during its 2001 employee car draw.

Representatives from North of England Children's Cancer Care (NECCR), the Percy Hedley Foundation, St Clare's Hospice and Ben (the motor industry's benevolent fund) were taken on a tour of Nissan before being presented with their cheques.

The company's car draw began nine years ago, when it was agreed that five per cent of the total annual income generated by the initiative would be donated to charities chosen by staff-elected members of the Company Council.

Once a month, three employees can win a Primera, Almera or Micra, with numbers chosen at random by computer.

So far, more than £100,000 has been raised through the draw and shared by local charities. During this time 278 cars have been won by Nissan staff including ten workers who have won twice.

Nissan's company council representative, Arthur Cutting, said: "Having to decide who the beneficiaries should be is one of the hardest tasks that the company council has to undertake on behalf of the staff here.

"By the same token, it is definitely one of the most rewarding. The staff enjoy fundraising and it is very satisfying to know the money is going to such good causes.''