A PRESTWICH-based charity that has helped thousands of children today celebrates its 30th birthday.

MedEquip4kids, which has offices in George Street, has raised millions of pounds to buy equipment for hospitals across the North West, organising hundreds of fundraising events along the way.

One organisation in line to congratulate the charity was Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which has been working with MedEquip4Kids for the past eight years.

In that time, the two organisations have jointly raised £400,000 for equipment for North Manchester General Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary.

The proceeds helped kit out the new children's accident and emergency department at Fairfield Hospital, including a portable ventilator, a defibrillator, and ophthalmoscopes for eye examinations.

The trust's chairman John Jesky said: "MedEquip4Kids does a huge amount of work across the country to make sure children get the best possible care when they are sick or injured.

"I consider it a great privilege to have worked with them at our hospitals.

"I have seen for myself what a great difference they make to people's lives.

"I would like to say a huge 'thank you' to MedEquip4Kids on behalf of the trust and on behalf of our patients and I look forward to working with them for many years to come."

The trust's charitable fundraising co-ordinator Shelley Owen said: "The volume of donations we have received from the charity over the years is truly overwhelming.

"I would like to thank those who have supported the work of MedEquip4Kids by giving so generously and congratulate the charity on reaching this remarkable milestone."

For more information: visit medequip4kids.org.uk