Family tribute helps hospital

2:55pm Thursday 1st May 2008

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THE family of a lung disease victim have helped other sufferers by raising money for vital hospital equipment.

Bus company founder Leonard Garnett's children and former colleagues have raised £3,500 in his memory for the unit where he was treated at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

They handed over the money yesterday to consultant respiratory physician Dr Rachid Abbasi.

It will buy a spirometer to test the lung function of patients in the hospital's cardio-pulmonary investigation unit.

Most of the money was raised at a memorial concert held in Shildon Civic hall last month, around a year after he died at the age of 70.

Mr Garnett's daughter Carole Ward said that businesses in the Bishop Auckland area had supported them with donations and raffle prizes.

She said: "It was a tribute to him. He was a lovely man and we wanted to do something to help the hospital to thank them for the good work they do."

Mr Garnett also left a wife Sylvia, sons Leonard, John, Malcolm, Andrew and Paul.

His company Garnett's Coaches, employs 60 people on the Romanway Industrial Estate, in Tindale Crescent.