Staff at Redhill's East Surrey Hospital have a new unit and equipment thanks to the efforts of a couple who have raised thousands of pounds.

Jo Sweeting and her partner Simon Sheasby threw themselves into fundraising for the hospital's High Dependency Unit (HDU), after their son Henry was treated at the East Surrey.

They were so impressed by the care given him by staff at the hospital, which is run by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, that they dedicated themselves to raising as much money as they could.

Jo said: "Henry was a patient on the ward when he was just ten weeks old. “Everyone was so great we thought it would be nice to give something back, and over a couple of years we raised about £45,000.”

And the couple from Dormansland returned with Henry, now four, recently to see the new facilities and equipment their efforts helped pay for, including the HDU itself.

They were joined by staff from the Rockinghorse Childrens Charity, which also helped fund the new room on Outwood ward. Jo said: “It's been lovely to come along with Henry and see what the money has been spent on and it looks amazing."

Joanne Farrell, East Surrey Hospital matron, children and young people, said: "With the help of Rockinghorse and Jo and Simon, we have been able to create a calm and peaceful environment, and we know this gives our patients and their families a nicer experience. “It's been lovely to have them here today and show them what we have done with their donations."