Skipton-based charity the Carers’ Resource has launched an innovative fundraising initiative to help heroes and heroines who care for relatives, friends and neighbours.

It will give £50 to every business taking part in its Cashback Challenge to use in whatever way it can to raise additional funds for its work, which includes providing information and support to unpaid carers.

Carers’ Resource fundraiser Anne Wells said: “Times are tough for all charities, which is why we are always looking for new ways to raise money to help support carers in the district.

“The Cashback Challenge is a very exciting idea for local businesses and organisations. We’ve lots of fundraising ideas to send to anyone who will take up the challenge.”

Two local food producers in Ingleton have already done so.

Butcher Pearsons of Ingleton will donate proceeds from sales of a new pie to the charity.

The Three Peaks Pie – made from pork, black pudding and caramelised onions – is already a winner, picking up silver awards at BPEX 2010 and the British Pie Awards.

Owner Ian Danskin said: ‘We’re taking up the challenge because we’re an award-winning team, this is our most recent award-winning product and Carers’ Resource is an award-winning charity which does great work in the area so it seemed like the perfect match.”

Another village business, Frumenty and Fluffin, has created a giant “carer cookie” to sell alongside its range of homemade cakes and pastries.

Proprietor Shirley Dixon said: “Carers’ Resource is an incredibly important support service so we wanted to help. We have been delighted at the interest in the carer cookie and we are struggling to keep the jar full!”

For information, call Anne Wells or Anna Jackson on 01756 700888 or visit carersresource.org