HOSPITAL staff are celebrating after their dementia appeal reached the half-way mark with more than £100,000 raised for patient care.

York Teaching Hospital is aiming to raise £200,000 to support residents suffering from the condition when they are admitted.

Specialist chairs and items to help patients reminisce have already been ordered.

Assistant director of nursing and lead for dementia Emma George raised almost £2,000 for the appeal during a skydive last year.

She said: “To reach £100,000 in less than a year is brilliant and we are so grateful to everyone who has got behind the appeal - everyone who has donated, volunteered and taken on a challenge and we hope that people keep supporting us.

"We are excited to start putting this money to work and make a difference.

“We already have some great support in place for people living with dementia when they are admitted into our hospitals, these additional changes across the trust will have a big impact on the experience of patients and their families but there is even more we want to do with the next £100,000."

Lucy Clegg, fundraising manager at York Teaching Hospital Charity added: “We have been overwhelmed with the support so far but we want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved and help us reach that final total.

"Dementia is a condition that could affect us all personally or through a family member or friend. You can donate to the appeal directly, hold your own fundraising event to help us reach the target or take part in one of our events including the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on June 30.”

To find out more or support the appeal visit york.nhs.uk/dementiaappeal.