A SELBY-BASED charity has celebrated spending more than £2.5 million on community projects over five years.

Regeneration agency Selby Groundwork is five years old this month. In that time it has worked on more than 120 projects spanning 40 Selby district parishes.

Peter Murphy, operations and development manager at Selby Groundwork, said: "It has been a real eye-opener taking time to reflect on the work we've undertaken so far.

"I'm proud of our achievements to date and am looking forward to expanding our work across the area over the next five years.

"We've recently established our own contracts team, and as a result we're now in a position to undertake even more landscaping work."

The charity is funded by Selby District Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Selby Town Council and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The trust has now produced a report reviewing the work it has done in its short life.

In July last year, they secured a £50,000 grant from the Countryside Agency, providing the lion's share of funding for a new community space at Chapel Haddlesey.

The green features newly-planted trees, hedges, willow tunnels, picnic benches, a play space, community information boards, a disabled accessible path, wild flower areas and a wildlife pond.

District councillor Steve Shaw-Wright said: "Groundwork has worked as an honest broker delivering funding and consulting with local residents.

"They've made a real difference in Selby."

In March, Groundwork kicked off an ambitious £100,000 scheme to transform the field between the housing estates off Charles Street and Bondgate, into a children's play area.

Selby MP John Grogan said: "I remember five years ago it was a real battle to persuade Ministers to set up a Selby Groundwork, with its own identity.

"The organization has since more than proved its worth, becoming one of the most dynamic and creative organizations in the district.

"When something new and exciting is happening in Selby district, Groundwork is usually involved in one way or another."

If you would like a copy of the charity's five year report, phone 01757 703758.

Double boost for hospices

BIG hearted shoppers in Selby have donated £4,000 to two local cancer charities.

Volunteers from the Caring Cancer Trust have been collecting cash in the entrance to Morrisons, in Market Cross.

They presented cheques to St Leonard's Hospice, in York, and Martin House Hospice, at Boston Spa - each for £2,000 - earlier this week.

Trust chairman Ian MacWatt said they had decided at their last AGM to channel support through hospices around the country.

"We're trying to create a bond between ourselves and hospices in the area, as well as supporting outlets that let us collect on their premises," he said.

The Caring Cancer Trust raises money for research, as well as helping to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their family by purchasing household goods and funding holidays.

Sarah Smith, fundraiser at Martin House, said: "We're extremely pleased and grateful that the trust recognises and supports the importance of our hospice and its work.

"It is donations like this that enable us to continue evolving and expanding, so we can meet the needs and wishes of the children and their families."