A BUILDING society has donated a painting to help an epilepsy charity raise funds for a vital piece of hospital equipment.

Darlington Building Society handed over the original work by local artist Bill Battram to Abbies Love which will be raffled off at a fundraising event to buy an EEG machine for James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

The building society were given the painting by Mr Battram after they allowed the Darlington branch to be turned into a mini gallery by Darlington Society of Arts.

The fundraising night takes place Newton Aycliffe Navy Club, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Event organiser Kelly Miller, who recently lost her brother to epilepsy, said: ""I am most grateful to Darlington Building Society for this donation. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to come along on Saturday for an exciting evening which will include a disco and karaoke."

Kelly Barker, from Darlingotn Building Society, said: "I am sure this fabulous painting, will be a big hit and will help Kelly in her fund raising activities. This is such a wonderful cause and I hope the charity night proves a great success."