YORKSHIRE Building Society has said ‘thanks a million’ to the Bury community for helping reach its fundraising target of £1million for its Hour of Need campaign in aid of Marie Curie.

The Society’s branch in The Rock has raised £755 towards the target since the start of the campaign in 2014.

Hour of Need is the most successful fundraising drive in the Society’s 152 year history with every £20 raised funding one hour of Marie Curie nursing care and the money raised in Bury has funded 37 hours of care alone.

Colleagues from the society have taken part in a variety of fundraising activities including riding 190km in branch on exercise bikes, stepper machine challenges and even set a new world record for largest cream tea party in multiple locations.

James Fenton, manager of the Bury branch of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “By supporting our Hour of Need campaign for the past two years the community here in Bury 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 the £1m raised is enough to fund around 50,000 hours of vital care and support for people living with a terminal illness and their families.

“Thank you to all Yorkshire Building Society staff and members for their fantastic support of the Hour of Need campaign,” said Dr Collins.

She added: “The society has gone above and beyond to raise funds for us, and we are truly grateful for everything staff and members have done.”

Yorkshire Building Society’s Hour of Need campaign was launched in 2014 with the original aim of raising £500,000 by December 2016.

It has now more than doubled this figure with the current total standing at more than £1,021,030.

If you would like to make a donation in support of the Hour of Need campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/hourofneed