A DEDICATED group of tireless fundraisers are celebrating 60 years of effort in support of their local hospital.

The Friends of the Friarage have raised millions of pounds over the years, providing vital equipment for the hospital in Northallerton.

And they are marking their diamond jubilee with a special get-together in the hospital’s boardroom at 3pm tomorrow, Friday.

The chairman of the Friends, Dr Upendra Somasundram, said further events would also be held during the year to mark the anniversary.

“We wanted to mark the start of our 60th year with our members and some representatives from the local communities which have supported us over the years,” he said.

“It’s also our opportunity to say thank you to the countless people who have raised a phenomenal amount of money for the Friends – and continue to do so – and we are planning some public events during the course of the year in recognition of that community spirit.”

He added: “Another significant milestone for us this year will be the opening of the new MRI scanner at the Friarage Hospital, which the Friends pledged £500,000 towards.

“That will be a fantastic additional resource for the medical teams and provide a much needed local service to the local population.”

The £2m MRI scanner appeal has been a huge success locally an work has already started on the building to house it.

The Friends’ story began back in 1953 when a committee was formed to obtain funds for a nurses’ recreation room – known as the Northallerton Hospitals Nurses Recreation Fund Committee.

That facility opened on January 12, 1957, and once the committee had been wound up it was agreed that a “League of Friends” should be formed - and their first annual general meeting took place the following year – in June 1958.

The name was changed to the Friends of the Friarage – and its stated aim at the time was to “support the work of the Northallerton hospitals by means of voluntary assistance.”

Since then they have gone on to raise more than £5m for the hospital and the local community.

Their contributions have ranged from major donations, such as paying for buildings and equipment - including a CT scanner - to providing smaller items for the wards, all of which have made a huge difference to patients and staff over the last 60 years.