AIREDALE Hospital has launched a '50 for 50' challenge to mark a milestone.

The Steeton hospital is asking people to help celebrate its 50th anniversary – and raise funds for charity at the same time.

The first 60 patients arrived at the site – from the former Keighley Victoria Hospital – in 12 ambulances, on July 5, 1970.

Now the public is being challenged to hold celebratory activities – from home – around the number 50.

Ideas, from baking 50 buns to walking 50 miles, can be found at airedale-trust.nhs.uk/charity/5050-challenge-for-50-years-of-airedale.

Participants can set-up their own fundraising page on Just Giving and link to the health trust's official 50:50 challenge, or simply donate sponsorship money.

Proceeds will be split between the hospital charities, Airedale Hospital & Community Charity and the Friends of Airedale.

Jodie Hearnshaw, fundraising and recognition manager at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Now more than ever we would love people to get involved in fundraising for our hospital, whilst celebrating this special occasion.

"You don’t have to be a super juggler or marathon runner to take part in the challenge. We want people to let us know what they are up to so we can share it too and most of all, we want people to have fun and take some time to celebrate our hospital being part of the community for the past 50 years."