A DONATION of new toys from a hospital friends' group will be just the tonic for children visiting Burnley's Urgent Care Centre.

The League of Voluntary Workers for Burnley Hospital has raised more than half a million pounds over the past 60 years.

Four members of the league dropped in to the centre, off Casterton Avenue, to deliver the toys, paid for by the people of Burnley and Pendle.

Julie Kay, acting matron at the Urgent Care Centre, said: “We just want to say thank you very much for the fantastic toys we received from the League of Voluntary Workers for Burnley Hospital.

“It’s heartwarming to know that today’s toy donation will bring joy for so many children in the coming years.”

Celebrating 60 years of tireless work in support of Burnley General Hospital, the voluntary group was recently boosted by an £8,000 donation from supermarket giant Sainsbury’s, and are keen to thank the area’s supermarkets for supporting their fundraising work.

“We try to do everything we can to support Burnley hospital and we’re really pleased to be putting a smile on the children’s faces,” said chair Joan Carpenter.

“Over the years we have made donations to many wards at Burnley Hospital and we want to thank local supermarkets and other organisations for their wonderful support of our fundraising work.”

The league has raised £528,000 since its inception in 1954.

Over the decades, the group has also funded key projects, including a conservatory for chemotherapy patients, specialist chairs for orthopaedic wards and a bladder scanner.

It has also purchased TVs, water coolers, scales and fans for patients’ use.