AIREDALE NHS Foundation Trust's official charity has reported a bumper year of fundraising.

It coined-in £429,000 between April 2021 and March last year, new figures show.

A host of activities was staged by supporters.

Amongst those raising funds were Christina Shiels, who brought in over £1,400 with a seven-day challenge; a community open day held by Lynnda Smith raised £1,100; 12-year-old William Wood-Robertson walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks, which realised more than £900 for Airedale Hospital's neonatal unit, and Alan King completed the Great North Run in memory of his father, raising £560.

The fundraising feats are spotlighted in the just-published Airedale Hospital & Community Charity annual report.

Thanks to the efforts, plus donations and grants, the charity was able to fund a range of items and projects to improve the patient experience and staff wellbeing.

A Make a Splash! appeal financed the renovation of the hospital's hydrotherapy pool, and the charity bought state-of-the-art equipment for the urology department to treat bladder and kidney stones, a special viewer to easily find veins in small children requiring a blood test, and devices to assist with upper limb rehabilitation.

In total, the charity spent a combined £232,000 on staff and patient welfare, and £19,000 on medical equipment.

Rhys Davies, chair of Airedale Hospital & Community Charity, thanked everyone who gave support.

He said: "I have seen for myself the fantastic difference that support and donations make to both patients and colleagues.

"As well as helping us to raise nearly £430,000 over the year, supporters have also given us donations such as gifts for our patients at Christmas and toys for our children’s unit.

"I’m astounded by the generosity of spirit shown to our charity and trust in these difficult times and I would like to thank everyone for showing their love for Airedale."

Jodie Hearnshaw, the charity's manager, says: "It’s been a busy year for the charity promoting our work, raising funds, ensuring good governance in how those funds are spent, supporting donors and ensuring we remain a positive partner in our community.

"We can’t do this work without our community’s continued support.

"On behalf of the charity and the trust, I thank everybody for their kindness and help. We have lots of exciting plans for 2023 and together we can make a real difference for those who use and provide our services."

The full annual report can be viewed at bit.ly/3X37ZwZ.