Hundreds of volunteers from across the district are expected to go MADD this weekend as part of a national campaign.

Saturday is Make a Difference Day, (MADD) sponsored by Barclays and The Woolwich, when people are urged to volunteer some time to make a difference in their community.

Organisations and individuals across the district are planning a range of events, from a Halloween party to a wall-building project.

Help the Aged shops in Skipton and Brighouse are staging events to encourage new volunteers to join them, and there will be spooky goings-on at the Brighouse shop with a Halloween party.

Manager Ruth Whitlock said: "Staff will be dressed up as witches and we will be giving out treats and parkin to customers.

"It should be a really fun day and anyone who would like to call in is welcome."

Volunteers at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund shop in Skipton will have chance to work in the shop, help with displays and find out more about helping the community.

And people are being invited to help complete the building of a wall at the Bradford City Farm in Girlington.

Acting farm manager Rob Dark hopes volunteers will help get the project, which has been affected by foot and mouth, back on track.

"At present we're not getting as many people down to the farm as we would like," he said. "Hopefully this project will attract more volunteers."

Staff at Barclays Bank in Halifax are doing their bit to make a difference by taking a group of autistic children for a picnic.

The National Blood Service's permanent donor centre in Rawson Road, Bradford, wants people to make a difference by giving blood.

Communications manager Penny Richardson said: "Although we are not holding a specific event on Saturday we are in full support of the scheme and we encourage people to enrol to give blood all year round.

"An individual can give blood up to three times a year. Blood donors can really make a difference to people's lives."

Make A Difference Day began in America in 1992 and millions of people are expected to take part in the US this year. The event is sponsored in America by Gannett, the parent company of Newsquest, which publishes the Telegraph and Argus.

Around 30,000 people are expected to volunteer for the event in the Britain, which is led by volunteer organisation the Community Service Volunteers. For a registration pack contact the CSV on 0500 900975.

One simple way of helping out is by giving blood, like Gillian Gillhorn, pictured, at the Bradford permanent donor centre in Rawson Road