BRADFORD Hospitals Children’s Charity has raised a mammoth £200,000 in just four years to help kit out a new young people’s unit.

The unit will include a dedicated teen zone as part of Bradford Royal Infirmary’s £28 million new wing when it opens later this year.

The charity’s fundraising coordinator Hayley Collis said: "The teen zone is something totally new. The area has been designed with the help of pupils from Bingley Grammar School and the new hospital wing interior designers, Gillingdod.

"It’ll be a chill out or relaxing zone away from the hustle and bustle of the busy wards."

Although the new wing will open this year, children’s ward staff are not scheduled to move in until next summer.

Staff have been drawing up a wishlist of extras to bring more comfort and fun to young patient’s hospital stay experience.

The charity has just received a £2,000 boost from teenager cousins Curtis Rhodes, 14, and Joshua Capper, 15, both from Shipley.

The pair both completed the Great North Swim at Lake Windermere in June this year.

Mrs Collis said: “Josh and Curtis’ fundraising will help to top up the fundraising already been done which has now topped £200,000 over the four years Bradford Hospitals Children’s Charity has been running its appeal.”

Joshua’s mum Denene Capper said: “The boys were desperate to have a go at the swim after me and my sister have been doing it for years.

“They wanted it to go to a local charity and help other young people.

“They’ve both had experience of being in hospital so when they did their research and found out about the Bradford Hospitals Children’s Charity they knew it was the one. We are very proud of them.”

Recently Joshua paid a visit to the current children’s unit to handover the cheque and have a look at the plans for the new wing.

“Their fundraising will make a tangible difference to our new children’s unit,” said Mrs Collis.

"The new hospital wing is well underway and we are now identifying more enhancements and equipment the doctors, nurses and their teams would like to help make their experience as comfortable as possible.”

More fundraising and donations are still needed. Anyone interested in making a donation should go to campaign.justgiving.com/charity/bradfordteachinghospital/bhcc or contact Hayley Collis on 01274 274809. For a fundraising pack, email charity@bthft.nhs.uk

Funds will also go towards buying 60 fold-up beds for parents with poorly youngsters which cost around £1,000 each and will mean mums and dads can stay close to their children.