Staff at Airedale Hospital had a ball as they raised funds for vital new physio equipment.

More than £4,000 was raised from a May Ball last Friday at the Hanover Hotel in Skipton.

The money will go towards the Help Airedale Physiotherapists Purchase Important Equipment (HAPPIE) campaign, which aims to raise £10,000 by the end of the year.

Senior physiotherapist Helen Moorhouse said: "It was a really enjoyable evening. Combined with other fundraising events this year we have now raised £5,000."

Top of the shopping list for the physiotherapy team is a new £6,000 treadmill. The department would also like to buy a chair exercise bike for less mobile patients, wheelchairs, portable oxygen monitors and training equipment. Members of staff will tomorrow be supporting Riddlesden Gala, which is donating all proceeds to HAPPIE.

Fundraisers will be taking part in a sponsored 140-mile coast to coast bike ride on June 16, and then jumping in a different form of transport for Cowling Pram Race.

The department is also compiling a cookery book and is hoping that people will contribute recipes and sponsor pages. Adverts in the book are available from £10.

For more information contact Helen Moorhouse or Julie Rose on 01535 293656.