A HOSPITAL ward has received a welcome tonic after young farmers raised money in memory of a colleague.

The Staindrop branch of the Young Farmers' Club, County Durham, presented the neurosurgical ward of James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough, with a cheque for £4,750.

It raised the money in memory of former chairman Tim Maughan, who died of a brain tumour in 2002, aged 26.

Most of the money was collected at a Bunny Hop Ball held at the George Hotel, in Piercebridge, near Darlington. Barclay's Bank also contributed £750 matched funding.

Mr Maughan had been a patient on the neurosurgical ward at Middlesbrough General Hospital before it moved to James Cook Hospital.

Rachel Maughan, Mr Maughan's cousin and a club leader, said: "The amount raised was absolutely fantastic. A lot of people donated money and things for the raffle. We would like everyone to know how grateful we are."

Sister Helen Wilson, who received the cheque from the club's chairman, Davinia Walton, said she was overwhelmed by the amount.

She said: "The money will pay for a new portable piece of equipment that takes blood pressures and other tests which we have wanted for a while."