MedEquip4Kids has raised £230,000 in aid of North Manchester General Hospital helping to equip the new Women and Children's Unit, which opened earlier this summer.

The new building has been built as part of Making it Better, the Greater Manchester-wide programme of improvements to services for women, children and babies.

MedEquip4Kids' supporters have spent two years fundraising in aid of the unit to provide equipment including saturation monitors, phototherapy units, syringe pumps, neonatal scales and electronic cots.

Facilities funded include a breastfeeding room and a multi-sensory room, which is equipped with soft cushioning, bubble tubes, soft lighting and tactile play equipment to provide a relaxing environment for children anxious about being in hospital or those with special needs.

MedEquip4Kids is also funding Clown Doctors' visits to the children's wards and was joined by Dr LooLoo for a tour of the new unit a few weeks after it offically opened.

Charity director, Mike Hughson, said: "MedEquip4Kids is delighted to have had the opportunity to fundraise towards the new Women and Children's Unit and be part of this major development in children's health services. Thanks to our supporters, we've been able to provide £230,000 of equipment and facilities which will help to make a difference to children and babies when sick or injured."

John Jesky, chairman of the Pennine Acute Trust which runs North Manchester General, added: "As with any new hospital development, particular attention has been given to meeting the needs of our patients and their families, as well as the needs and aspirations of our doctors and nurses who work here.

"We are truly grateful to MedEquip4Kids for their continued support to the Trust. In particular, we are overwhelmed by the staggering amount of money donated to help us buy a variety of equipment to help unwell children and young people who are treated here at our new women and children's facility at North Manchester General Hospital.

"I know the sensory room and all the equipment has been welcomed and well received by staff and is already being used to benefit children and their families who receive care here. Every child treated in the new unit benefits in some way from this equipment. On behalf of the Trust Board and our staff, I would like to publicly thank Mike Hughson and all fundraisers from MedEquip4Kids for their efforts and this generous donation. This is a facility that the Trust, the local community and our patients should be proud of and the support and donation from MedEquip4KIds will be integral to its success."

Picture: MedEquip4Kids' director, Mike Hughson, and deputy director, Ghazala Baig, with Clown Doctor, Dr Loo, at the new North Manchester unit.