FORMER Craven District Council chairman Donny Whaites has made a splash with the new emergency department at Steeton's Airedale Hospital.

Cllr Whaites, who was chairman last year, chose the department as his charity of the year as he wanted to support a cause that benefitted all, no matter what age or gender.

And, on Thursday, he handed over a cheque for £3,416.34 to Dr Paul Jennings.

Most of the money was raised through the chairman's swim challenge, which runs each year from January 1 to March 31. Cllr Whaites said he would like to thank all the swimmers who took part in the challenge at Craven Pool – especially those who returned year after year to give their support.

The current chairman, Cllr Linda Brockbank, has chosen Lupus UK as her good cause.

Lupus is an uncommon, complex condition that can affect any part of the body and can cause many different symptoms. Ninety per cent of lupus patients are female and takes an average of seven years to diagnose. It can be extremely debilitating and painful.