ONE of the Tyne Valley's largest employers has made a cash donation to help a local charity get back on its feet.

A sale of toilet rolls to contractors working at the Essity paper mill in Prudhoe has raised more than £500 for Chrysalis Club.

The charity, which is based at the Torch Centre in Hexham, supports people living with dementia and provides an activities club for individuals with the condition, as well as a self-help group where family members can share their experiences and gain valuable information.

In recent months, activities at Chrysalis have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, but now volunteers are trying to reinstate some safe alternatives.

Essity made a £520 donation to help re-establish a scheme to bring the charity's good work to Prudhoe.

The money was raised by giving contractors working at the mill a giant pack of loo roll, in return for a donation to the Chrysalis Club.

Trustee Helen Ord said: "“We’ve been trialing socially-distanced meetings for our members at Hexham Mart, which is very spacious and allows us to implement the appropriate safety measures.

“It's lovely to see how our members and their families are enjoying being back with their friends, albeit in a rather different set up.

"When coronavirus struck, we had just started running some pilot classes in Prudhoe at the Riverside Café, and hope to start up again soon in an alternative, larger venue.”