BIG-HEARTED staff and customers at Halesowen's Yorkshire Building Society have paid for 50 hours of Marie Curie nursing care.

Yorkshire Building Society ,Hagley Mall, has raised £1,013 since 2014 for the Hour of Need campaign, which passed the £1 million mark nationally.

Staff took part in a variety of fundraising activities including riding 190km in branch on exercise bikes, stepper machine challenges and set a new world record for largest cream tea party in multiple locations.

Lorna Kendrick, manager of the branch, said: “By supporting our Hour of Need campaign for the past two years the community here in Halesowen have helped to provide nursing care for more people with a terminal illness in their hour of need. Sadly, most of us know someone who has been affected by terminal illness but the donations have made a real difference.

“By helping us raise more than £1 million we have so far funded two hours of care by a Marie Curie Nurse for every hour of the campaign.”

Dr Jane Collins, Chief Executive of Marie Curie, said: “Thank you to all Yorkshire Building Society staff and members for their fantastic support of the Hour of Need campaign.

"The £1 million raised is enough to fund around 50,000 hours of vital care and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families. The Society has gone above and beyond to raise funds for us, and we are truly grateful for everything staff and members have done.”

For more information about the Hour of Need campaign visit www.justgiving.com/hourofneed.