SUPPORTERS of a charitable fund will celebrate a decade of support for a county's good causes.

The County Durham Foundation has handed out almost £10m to community groups and other worthy recipients, since its formation in 1995.

Launched to distribute grants based on interest from an invested endowment fund, it has now received donations from 60 individuals, companies, trusts and other organisations.

Grants have been made to 3,400 groups and 1,450 individuals across County Durham and Darlington council areas.

Grants have ranged from £233,000 to £10, averaging £1,700. Sixty-eight per cent of applicants have succeeded in getting a grant.

The foundation, whose vice-presidents include Prime Minister Tony Blair and environmentalist Dr David Bellamy, is among the most successful community foundations in the country, having raised more in its endowment fund than similar schemes in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Manchester.

A celebration of its achievements will take the form of fun days, at County Hall, Durham, over the weekend of September 24 and 25, from 10am to 4pm.

North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong, the Government's Chief Whip, joined foundation supporters on Wednesday, including president Sir Paul Nicholson, and chairman Bernard Robinson, to promote the fun weekend.

She said the £10m landmark was a fantastic achievement.

The celebrations will feature displays by marching bands, and 20 music, dance and theatre groups.

There will also be a charity balloon race. Guests will include the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Dr Tom Wright.