A FORMER nurse returned to the hospital she used to work at to donate more than £1,500 to make life a little nicer for its youngest patients.

Inspired by the care her grandson received last year, Jean McCready raised the money for ward 21 at Darlington Memorial Hospital, where she worked on a surgical ward until her retirement.

Mrs McCready, from Middridge, near Shildon, County Durham, started fundraising in the village last September and held coffee mornings, a Christmas fair and a charity night at The Bay Horse pub.

She also received a £500 donation from a children’s organisation to boost the fund.

Yesterday (Saturday, March 14) the 64-year-old presented £1,540 to the children’s ward, which will use the money to buy cot mobiles and sensory equipment.

She said: “They were so lovely when my grandson was there, they really looked after him and I wanted to say thank you.

“I miss nursing so it was lovely to go back, after six months of work everything came together to be able to give them the cheques.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their support, especially for the event at the pub.”

In 1993 Mrs McCready raised funds for a rest room at the hospital, which was named after her.