A charity's fund-raising website is to be launched into cyberspace thanks to the city's Barclays branch.

A donation by the bank's High Street branch means Worcester-based national charity Leukaemia CARE can develop the site, aimed at promoting fund-raising across the UK through a range of activities from coffee mornings to marathons and overseas adventures.

The £3,750 donation included £375 that Barclays' local business manager Gary Cain raised when he dressed up as Santa to take part in Worcester's annual Christmas fun run in December.

Mr Cain, who has been the charity's bank manager for six years, said: "Leukaemia CARE started banking with our branch many years ago, and we've developed an excellent relationship with them.

"As they are locally based, we've got to know many of the staff members and have adopted them as the charity we choose to support, both financially and by encouraging our staff to volunteer their time when they can.

"We are aware just how important fund-raising is to the charity and we are delighted that our latest donation will help them to raise awareness of the many different ways in which people can get involved in this."

Leukaemia CARE's deputy chief executive Eve Martin added: "We are grateful to Barclays for its support and really appreciate the contribution it makes to our charity.

"Thanks to its latest donation, we can start work developing a new dedicated fundraising website, which we hope will be live by summer.

"This site focuses on races such as the London Marathon and the Great North Run and while these activities are incredibly important, we mustn't forget there are many others organised by groups and individuals around the country - such as coffee mornings, quiz nights, and car boot sales - that are just as significant.

"Our new website will offer ideas, help and advice to those who want to organise events like these for us as well as continuing to promote the better-known fund-raising events.

"The site will also feature information on how the money raised has been used to help patients, their families, friends and carers, as well as links to stories from the patients themselves."

For further information on Leukaemia CARE and to find out how you can raise funds visit www.raise4leukaemia.

org.uk or call 0870 774 3667.