AN appeal to raise money for new state-of-the-art MRI scanners for Bishop Auckland Hospital and Darlington Memorial Hospital has had its coffers swelled.

Bishop Auckland Rotary Club presented £7,000 to County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust’s charity MRI scanner appeal. The club's annual golf day raised £6,000 and Barclay’s gave £1,000 in match funding via the town branch.

Club sports officer Peter Cooke, who organised the event with the support of past president Nigel Bell, said: "The committee chose the MRI appeal because it is a locally based appeal and any one of us in the club, or in our local areas, could possibly need to have an MRI scan in the future.

"The day was a great success and we are very pleased with the grand total we’ve been able to donate to support the appeal.

"We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors and everyone who took part on the day, so thank you to them.”

Professor Jerry Murphy, on behalf of the appeal, said: “I’m in awe at the generosity of local people and so grateful to Bishop Auckland Rotary for choosing to support our CDDFT NHS FT charity. The new MRI scanners will provide us with a transformational level of innovation replacing 18-year-old machines."

The appeal runs until December 2018, for details call Pat Chambers on 07770-45565 or pat.chambers1@nhs.net.

Prof Murphy said: "In my area of expertise as senior consultant cardiology surgeon for the Trust the new technology will help with early diagnosis and potentially less invasive surgery for pre and post stroke patients, ultimately helping save lives.

"I am so grateful for the support received and hope other groups and associations will be inspired to help us too, whatever the amount raised, it will make a big difference to us.”