TAXI drivers are being hailed by Manorlands for their fundraising efforts.

Keighley Taxis has handed over a £250 cheque following a collection by its Airedale Steeton Private Hire drivers.

They were thanked by Andrew Wood, a fundraiser at the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice, who collected the donation from the firm's head office.

The drivers plan to start a pub darts and dominoes league to raise further funds.

Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Nav Hanif on 01535 608608 or the Manorlands fundraising office on 01535 640430.

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community, across an area covering Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale as well as parts of Bradford.

Last year its community nurse specialists provided 3,415 home visits, more than 1,000 people attended the day therapy unit and the bereavement team made over 6,000 phone calls.

All services are free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs £9,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open.

Only a small part of the cost is covered by statutory funds, with most of the money having to be raised through voluntary donations.