A HOSPITAL trust has re-launched its own charitable fund this week.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust charity has been renamed ‘North Tees and Hartlepool Together’ and the launch gave people the chance to learn more about the charity.

Opening the event, chairman Paul Garvin said: “The new name reflects the fact that our successes really are down to our partnerships – we appreciate and are so grateful for the generosity of our local community, patients, staff, relatives and friends of the trust who put their time, energy and heart into fundraising for us.

“We use our charitable fund donations to enhance aspects of patient care and staff development which are not funded by the NHS. Your donations are invested in equipment and anything else that will make our patients’ experience more comfortable.

“Every day we hear from people who want to make a donation to our trust, who have been inspired by the care they, a relative or a friend have received from our staff. This generosity means we can deliver even more quality care to those who need it most.”

A book stall was held as part of the launch and this year the trust is also running its first hospital Christmas Fairs to raise funds for the charity at North Tees Hospital on Wednesday, December 6 and at Hartlepool Hospital on Friday, December 15.