A BUILDING society with branches across Huddersfield has chosen Marie Curie Cancer Care as the beneficiary of its Christmas charity fundraising drive.

Yorkshire Building Society, which has its roots in Huddersfield, aims to raise £80,000 in four weeks to help the charity provide more nurses in the community.

Over the 12 days of Christmas, Marie Curie nurses will provide more than 26,000 hours of care to give terminally ill people the chance of enjoying the season at home with family and friends.

The fundraising was launched by Coronation Street actress Susie Blake, who plays Bev Unwin, the man-eating mother of Rovers Return landlady Shelley Unwin.

The campaign has a Care Bear theme, reflecting the care offered by the Marie Curie nurses and all the society's branches and most agencies will be holding a prize draw to win one of the bears. Other branch activities will include children's colouring competitions and the sale of four collectors' edition Care Bear pin badges.

Several branches and head office teams are also planning other fun money- raising activities, including a karaoke night, bric-a-brac sales, tombolas, wine tasting and fancy dress pub crawls.

The appeal runs until Wednesday, December 22. Last year, £82,000 was raised for the Association of Children's Hospices.

Rachel Gladman, of Yorkshire Building Society said: "We have kicked off the appeal with a teddy bear dress down day and so we are all already in high festive spirits.

"We hope that many of our customers will take part in the activities we have planned, and help us to support Marie Curie Cancer Care as they brighten up Christmas for those who really need care at home."