A BIG-hearted grandad is spearheading the push to raise the remaining £500,000 needed to provide a new MRI scanner for his local hospital.

Bill Waters, 85, has already raised £6,200 in less than a year for the scanner appeal at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, initially selling car raffle tickets before going on to hold a regular tombola stall of his own.

His inspiration is his late wife Pamela, who died almost five years ago at the age of 76 – just three weeks after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

As a couple, Bill and Pamela always enjoyed raising money for good causes, and after his wife died, Bill found a new sense of purpose in raising money for the hospital where she was cared for.

And now he has helped to launch the #MyReasonIs campaign in the final push to secure the remaining £500,000 needed for the scanner – and is hoping more people will get behind the cause.

The campaign encourages those who have made a donation to tweet their picture and reason for giving to @STeesCharity, using the hashtag #MyReasonIs. Pictures and reasons can also be emailed to myreasonis@stees.nhs.uk

The pictures will then be used to create an online work of art, reflecting the community support for the appeal.

Bill said: “I think Pamela would be over the moon with what I’ve done. It’s kept me going really.”

He added: “The Friarage Hospital is so valuable to people all over North Yorkshire and it gives me great satisfaction to be able to support it.”

Bill is now calling for more people to text a donation to the scanner appeal and share their reasons for supporting the campaign.

As part of #MyReasonIs, donations of between £2 and £10 can be made, by texting SCAN46 plus the amount to 70070.