Jojo the clown, volunteers and staff at Airedale Hospital are already spurring people on in a fundraising appeal to refurbish the hospital's children's unit.

The appeal team needs to raise more than £600,000 to provide a new ward with improved facilities for parents to stay overnight with their children and extra space for patients to receive treatment.

Some of the money will also be spent on brightening up the 30-bed children's ward, which has been caring for children with a whole range of conditions and illnesses since the hospital first opened in 1970.

Steering committee member for the children's unit Mary Rush said: "The money has been coming in gradually but we really need to get the public behind the appeal."

The appeal is being run by two charities linked to the hospital, Airedale New Venture and Friends of Airedale.

Karen Walker, children's services manager at the hospital, said: "Since the hospital opened 35 years ago the needs of the young patients has grown to such an extent that the unit needs to be refurbished and new facilities provided, which really can meet the needs of our young patients and their families, who often spend a great deal of time in hospital with their children.

"Airedale NHS Trust has already provided a new children's out-patient unit and the appeal team really want to build on this achievement so we can have a fantastic new environment to care for local children."

Several events have been planned when people can make donations, including a golf day this month, an afternoon tea next month, the Airedale NHS Trust open evening on September 13 and the hospital summer fair on September 17. Anyone wishing to make a donation or to obtain a fundraising pack should contact the appeals office on 01535 294605, or by e-mailing childrensunitappeal@anhst.nhs.uk.

Readers can also follow the link on the trust web site www.airedale-trust.nhs.uk.