SIX wheelchairs have been given to Bradford Royal Infirmary for the public's use by hospital fundraisers.

The wheelchairs, which cost about £900 each and have been donated by the Friends of Bradford Royal Infirmary, work like supermarket trollies on a coin and token-operated system.

They are available at the hospital's main entrance to make it handy for anyone needing to exchange notes for one pound pieces.

The £1 or token, the type that charities often sell, can only be refunded when the chair is brought back.

The system has already proved successfully at St Luke’s Hospital since it started in May 2014.

As well as the new wheelchairs which arrived in December, there are still chairs around the wards and departments for porters to use to move people around the hospital for various medical and imaging tests.

Christine Heaton, said: “We are grateful to the Friends of Bradford Royal Infirmary for this donation as the new wheelchairs have proved very popular with visiting patients and their relatives since they were installed.

“The chairs have improved accessibility and very easy to use. They represent another step in helping to enrich the patient experience here at Bradford Royal Infirmary.”

Charlotte Keasey, assistant general manager of estates and facilities, said: “We chose the coin-operated wheelchair system because, in the past, wheelchairs have not been returned to their original locations. We wanted to ensure that we always have a readily available stock of chairs accessible for visitors and are grateful to the volunteers for helping to make this happen.”

Trevor Constantine, chairman of the Friends of the Bradford Royal Infirmary, has visited the hospital to try out one of the wheelchairs himself and nurse Marilyn Talattad was on hand to give him a special trip round Ward 22.

The Friends group is also looking for more volunteers of all ages willing to join them and give up their free time to help patients. Some volunteers who are unemployed are also able to get work references from the experience to help them go and get paid jobs.

Opportunities include way-finders to guide patients and visitors around the hospitals, reception helpers, patient supporters, tea bar assistants, child play assistants, chaplaincy visitors, ward trolley service personnel, patient questionnaire volunteers and hospital radio DJs.

Anyone interest in becoming a volunteer needs to have about three to four hours a week to spare, usually on the same day of the week so rotas can be planned.

If interested call the Voluntary Services Department on 01274364309.