A TEESSIDE cancer charity has received a financial boost from an American company, thanks to a local employee.

Jacqueline Gales, who works for American Express, won a £350 grant from the company's Global Volunteer Action Fund (GVAF), which aims to benefit the communities in which employees live and work.

Ms Gales, of Marykirk Road, Thornaby, has been a volunteer with the Stokesley-based Celebration of Life After Cancer for a year.

Last year, she gave up four days of her holiday to help organise a fundraising fashion show for the charity.

She said: "It was such a success that we are planning an even bigger show this year.

"The GVAF donation will be a useful contribution towards production costs."

American Express makes grants twice a year to non-profit making organisations that are already helped by its employees volunteering.