Fundraisers for L’Arche have handed over £14,000 in sponsorship.

The charity, which has its UK office in Silsden, provides homes in ordinary houses for more than 100 people with learning difficulties and a similar number of assistants. It has nine communities around the country and two more are planned.

Twelve fundraisers took part in the Great North Run in October and raised £10,500, while four friends of the charity climbed Ben Nevis, raising a further £3,500.

The money was handed over at a Christmas lunch at Sunny Bank Social Club in Silsden.

John Sargent, national coordinator of L’Arche in the UK, said: “L’Arche is very grateful to all runners and climbers and to everyone who supported them.”