A COMMUNITY has raised hundreds of pounds for a hospital charity.

Andy Laraway was diagnosed with lymphoma in September last year and to celebrate the end of his treatment, landlord Brian Healey placed collection tins at the Stanhill Inn in Oswaldtwistle.

Customers at the pub and the community generously donated, raising a total of £350 East Lancashire Hospitals Trust’s charity ELHT&Me.

The money has been raised to thank staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital chemotherapy ward where Mr Laraway was treated.

He said: “I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of myself and my family Dr Adiyodi and all staff on the chemotherapy unit, for the wonderful work they do.

“Since being diagnosed, the treatment and care I received from the staff was truly amazing. Donating to the chemotherapy ward was my way of making sure current and future patients get the same warm, caring professionalism I received when receiving treatment.”

Denise Gee, fundraising manager of ELHT&Me, said: “The charity are so grateful for this generous donation, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to Andy, his family and Brian, for collecting these donations from the local community.

“We are delighted that Andy has completed his treatment, and this money will be used to ensure that chemotherapy patients in the future can have an experience as positive as his.”