THE York branch of the Yorkshire Building Society is to give money to five good causes to mark a landmark anniversary.

The building society in Feasegate, along with other branches across the country, marked the society’s 150th anniversary by asking members of the public to nominate charities to receive £100 - a total of £150,000 nationwide.

The charities benefitting in York are The Smiley Riley Fund, The Alzheimer’s Society, The Salvation Army, York Carers Centre and The York Minster Fund.

Branch manager Dean Alsop said: “Our annual Make a Difference campaign is always very popular, but this year we’ve been able to support more charities than ever before thanks to the Charitable Foundation’s generous donation to mark the Society’s 150th anniversary.

“I’m delighted that five worthwhile causes in our area are part of the hundreds of local charities the Society is supporting throughout the UK and I’m sure the money will be used to make a positive difference in our community.”

The donations have also won the support of York Central MP Hugh Bayley, who congratulated the building society on its 150th anniversary, and addinged: “I am pleased that The Yorkshire Building Society is helping local charities. It reflects the community principles which prompted the creation of the Society as a mutual, owned by its savers, a hundred and fifty years ago.”