GENEROUS folk in the York area have been busily raising money for various charities.

Workers at a York bank have raised £1,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Staff at HSBC, in Parliament Street, held a prize draw to collect the cash which will fund the training of future guide dogs.

Area manager Mark Vines presented the cheque to representatives of the charity, Brian Smith and Mary Grainger, who were accompanied by their own guide dogs.

The bank has raised more than £15,000 for the charity since 1979.

HSBC spokeswoman Amanda Stirk said: "It was lovely to see the guide dogs. We think it's a very worthwhile charity."

Another group, Fulford Townswomen's Guild, has raised £300 for York Against Cancer.

The group held a coffee morning to raise the cash which will go towards a new psychiatrist project.

Philip Mackley, the charity's honorary administrator, said: "We're absolutely delighted - it's very generous."

Meanwhile, at York College, caring students remembered a lost friend by raising hundreds of pounds at a York College gap year fair for a foundation in her honour.

The event was held in aid of Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, set up in memory of murdered York backpacker Caroline Stuttle to help young people realise their dreams.

It saw attractions including a raffle and the sale of rainbow ribbons raise £337.43 for the foundation.

The sale of rainbow cookies, specially-baked by catering students, and decorated with 5,000 Smarties donated by Nestl UK, helped boost the total.

Students were also offered advice on foreign travel and given the opportunity to meet with various gap year organisations.

College bosses have said the fair is likely to become an annual event.

Former York College student Caroline, 19, was murdered in Bundaberg, Australia, earlier this year, while backpacking in her gap year.

Updated: 10:06 Friday, December 06, 2002