A HEALTH club has donated more than £2,000 to two Tees Valley hospitals that cared for a seriously ill member of staff.

Bannatyne's Health Club, in Ingleby Barwick, gave the money to the University Hospital of North Tees and James Cook University Hospital after they treated fitness professional Hazel Robinson. She suffered severe injuries in a stabbing attack at her mother's home last year, so her colleagues raised money via direct donations and fundraising activities.

The University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, received £1,000, which will be spent on a new family room in the intensive care ward.

James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, was given £1,500, which will go towards refurbishing the staff room in intensive care.

In addition to the £2,500 for the hospitals, the health club raised a further £500, which was used to buy presents for Ms Robinson.

"Everyone has been really supportive while I have been recovering and I'd like to thank all the members and my friends at Bannatyne's who helped towards raising this money," said Ms Robinson.

Lynne Williams, of North Tees hospital, said: "We really appreciate Bannatyne's help towards opening the new family room and thank all the staff and members for their fundraising efforts."

Lindsay Garcia, intensive care manager at James Cook hospital, said: "This donation demonstrates the strength of community feeling at Bannatyne's and we are very grateful for the effort they put in to raise this money."