HUDDERSFIELD businesses will be going green this Hallowe’en – all in the name of charity.

And one company who lost a staff member to a brain tumour is leading the way.

Staff at local companies will be dressing in green or scary Hallowe’en costumes on October 31 in exchange for donations to Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The Macmillan Go Green for Hallowe’en event is being held countrywide to raise funds for the charity, which provides support and nursing care for cancer patients and their families.

The charity wants staff to dress in costume or green clothes in exchange for donations – or even hold their own fundraising Hallowe’en parties.

Artisan Fireplaces in Brighouse is supporting Macmillan in memory of former colleague Barbara Thackray.

Mrs Thackray, who ran the firm’s administrative section, died in 2004 from a brain tumour and was cared for in her final weeks by Macmillan nurses.

Artisan owner Sue Heginbottom said: “We support Macmillan personally, but we have never done anything like this before. We will be going the whole hog, wearing Hallowe’en outfits and giving out sweets to customers.

“The Macmillan nurses were wonderful with Barbara, treating her with dignity and kindness.

“They were like angels, so we are really pleased to support the charity.”

Fenay Bridge business Paxman Coolers will also be supporting Go Green At Hallowe’en. Staff will be encouraged to pay £1 to wear green clothes to work.

The company makes equipment to help prevent hair loss in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. The special caps cool the scalp, preventing chemotherapy drugs affecting the hair.

Managing director Glen Paxman came up with the idea after his wife lost her hair during cancer treatment.

With his brother’s engineering knowledge, the cooling cap was created in 1997 and is now in hospitals all over the UK, including Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Slaithwaite hydraulic engineering company Hystat Systems will be going green in support of Macmillan, as one of their employees is currently suffering from cancer.

Some female staff members were inspired by him to run this year’s Race for Life at Greenhead Park to help Cancer Research UK.

Gwyneth Fulcher is organising the ‘go green’ day at Hystat Systems.

She said: “I know people who have had support from Macmillan and can’t praise them highly enough. It is being held at the same time as the ‘pink day’ for breast cancer charities, but I decided it might be easier to get the men who work here to wear green! We hope that staff will support the day.”

For more about the work of Macmillan Cancer Relief, visit www.macmillan.org.uk