A CANCER survivor has donated new pumps to a County Durham hospital to help in the treatment of other patients.

Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, Trish Greensmith and her volunteers have raised more than £220,000 with her charity the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Appeal to buy equipment for the use in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Their latest donation has seen three new infusion pumps, which are used to administer medication during chemotherapy sessions, installed at Shotley Bridge Hospital.

The charity has previously donated pumps to University Hospital of North Durham.

Sandra Gaskill, ward manager of the chemotherapy units at the two hospitals, said: “This makes a big difference to us and especially the patients.

“We do have this equipment provided for us, but to have these extra pumps which are just for us means we can treat more people at a time and we do not need to wait for equipment to become available.

“We are very grateful for Trish’s ongoing support.”

The unit at Shotley Bridge opened in January 2013 and treats about 25 patients a day.

Some can take just half an hour to receive their chemotherapy, while others may have to be hooked up to a pump for up to eight hours.

The three pumps cost about £8,500, and Ms Greensmith, from Willington, said: “I would like to thank everybody who keeps supporting the charity, their donations and efforts are making a real difference in the quality of patient’s lives.”