Hospital fundraiser given boost by school

A cheque was handed over to the hospital by Penny Simkin (centre), chair of the Friends of Birchfield School

A school has donated £1,700 to help redevelop a children's garden at a Wolverhampton hospital.

The money was raised by a raffle at the annual summer ball at Birchfield School in Albrighton.

It will go towards the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Charity's £30,000 appeal to enhance the children's ward garden at New Cross Hospital.

Kirsty Lewis, the RWT's senior matron for acute children's services, said: "This will really help in our quest to give children a place to play and relax at an otherwise stressful time for them."

The new garden will include improved sensory features such as a walk-through space with paths wide enough for wheelchairs and beds; new lighting; and a cinema projection space, meaning children can watch films outdoors.

Penny Simkin, chair of the Friends of Birchfield School group, which donated the money, said: "We are so pleased to support the development of the garden at New Cross which will hopefully provide an outside sanctuary for children to play and also a place of reflection for parents."