A family has raised more than £12,000 to buy a portable ventilator for Airedale Hospital

The equipment is to support patients who have breathing problems due to an accident or illness.

The ventilator has been provided in memory of Robert Gibb, who died – aged 44 – two years ago.

He had been diagnosed six years earlier with scleroderma, which results in hard, thickened areas of skin and sometimes problems with internal organs and blood vessels.

Following his death, family and friends staged several fundraising events, including black-tie dinners, coffee mornings, bingo evenings and raffles.

Mr Gibb’s sister, Julie Watson, said: “It hasn’t been easy since my brother died, but having something to do to raise funds for the wards and the hospital that looked after him, in his memory, has helped a lot.

“Altogether, we raised a staggering £12,174. Handing over the cheque has allowed us to show our appreciation to the hospital and its staff, and has given us the chance to help improve facilities for families in similar situations. We’d like to thank all the people who have helped and supported us during the past two years.”

John Logue, matron for critical care and the acute care team at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, paid tribute to the family’s efforts.

“I would like to thank Julie and her family for their generosity, and for helping us to ensure patients who have life-threatening breathing problems can be cared for appropriately,” he said.