AIREDALE Hospital's emergency department appeal has received a donation of £25,000 from Sovereign Health Care.

The donation from the West Yorkshire-based cash plan provider, is a 'huge boost' to the appeal that aims to raise £150,000 to upgrade the paediatric waiting area, the paediatric resuscitation area and the bereavement facilities, which have become worn after being in use for over nine years.

Jodie Hearnshaw, Airedale Hospital and Community Charity manager said: “In 2014 the doors opened to our brand-new emergency department, and in that time, over a half a million people have visited, getting the help they need when they need it most.

"Like everything well used, it is starting to look a bit tired. We are raising funds to make a real difference to those visiting the emergency department, to provide those added extras to help children and their families as well as those recently bereaved.”

Nicola Denbow, matron of the emergency department, added: “This donation from Sovereign Health Care is a huge boost towards the £150,000 we are trying to raise, alongside the wonderful fundraising activities of AHCC and our local community.

"We want to make the children’s waiting area more comfortable for families, to provide specifically tailored equipment for the paediatric resuscitation room and to fund items for the bereavement suite to help create a peaceful and private space. It really will make a difference to those patients and their families coming into ED, which are often distressing and difficult times.”

Airedale Hospital has a longstanding partnership with Sovereign, which has been focused on the health and wellbeing of local people for over 150 years. Sovereign’s Community Programme has been supporting local organisations and charities as well as the NHS for many years, making a real difference to people’s lives.

Neil McCallum, Chief Executive of Sovereign Health Care, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Airedale’s Emergency Department Appeal, and would encourage other organisations to do the same. We continually strive to ensure that we have an impact on the health and wellbeing of our local communities. It will enable Airedale to purchase furniture, equipment and other items to create the best possible environment when people really need it.”

Airedale Hospital and Community Charity is Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s dedicated charity. To support its Emergency Department Appeal, donations can be made via JustGiving. Or to find out how you can help or set up your own fundraising challenge, contact the charity team on 01535 294870 or anhsft.charity@nhs.net.