WIRRAL business people have toiled and sweated to raise much needed cash for Clatterbridge-based St John's Hospice.

The money - £1,620 - was raised from entry fees for last year's EuroWirral Fit for Business Week, an annual event in which businesses compete against each other in a range of sports.

It has been used to buy an Ivac, a piece of equipment which controls the rate of fluids fed intravenously through a drip, eliminating the need for staff to continuously monitor a patient.

Main aim of the Fit for Business Week is to get staff fit and motivated while building team spirit in the workplace.

Since it was launched in 1994, EuroWirral Fit for Business Week has raised more than £5,000 for local charities.

Said Event Manager Jane Bateman: "The charity fund-raising has become an important aspect of the EuroWirral Fit for Business Week.

"In addition to motivating staff by providing a social yet competitive environment for business people to mix in, participants are also keen to make their contribution to the community by raising money for a local cause."

Helen Crawford, Fundraising Manager at St John's, said: "The Ivac will improve patients' comfort while allowing Hospice staff to continue with other tasks.

"We would take this opportunity to thank EuroWirral Fit for Business Week organisers, and all those from the community who took part in raising the money to purchase this vital piece of equipment for the patients at St John's Hospice."

Coun Phil Davies, Chair of Wirral's Economic Regeneration Sub-committee, said: "We are delighted to have raised so much money for local charities from this regular EuroWirral event, and particularly pleased that EuroWirral has been able to provide equipment which is so important both for patients and staff. We hope it will be of benefit for a long time to come."

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