YOU'VE done it!

A Keighley News-backed appeal to raise £100,000 for Airedale Hospital's state-of-the-art new Emergency Department has reached its target.

Caring readers have staged numerous fundraising events and made generous donations since the launch of the campaign almost exactly a year ago.

The cash has helped pay for incredible facilities including distraction walls, an interactive floor in the children’s waiting area and resources to help dementia patients.

And funds have also bought potentially-lifesaving equipment, including cardiac monitors for general assessment areas.

Meg Crossley, a consultant in emergency medicine at the hospital and project lead, paid tribute to everyone who had backed the appeal.

"We have had tremendous support from the whole community," she said.

"We are delighted to have achieved our target thanks to the generosity of local people, businesses and our own staff, who have given donations and spent time organising a whole host of activities to help boost our funds.

"We're very grateful for the help of our sponsors who backed the appeal from the start, but also to those who came on board throughout the year to make sure we have an Emergency Department that really is fit for the 21st century."

Support for the appeal was provided from the outset by the Keighley News.

Other backers included Barbara Hodkinson, founder of the national Butterfly Scheme, which helps hospital staff care for and improve the health and wellbeing of patients with dementia.

Initial sponsors included law firm LCF, the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton and hospital charities the Friends of Airedale and Airedale New Venture.

Rotarians have also backed the venture.

Coffer-boosting activities held during the past year have included a Great Gatsby Ball, a bake-off by master baker and Keighley News columnist Mike Armstrong, a Three Peaks Challenge by Accident & Emergency staff and a Tour de France-related sponsored event tackled by human resources employees.

Keighley News editor, Richard Parker, said: "Readers have shown once again how extraordinarily generous they are when it comes to supporting charitable causes.

"The response to the appeal was phenomenal and our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has done their bit to raise this superb total."

The new £6 million Emergency Department – which includes separate adult and children's waiting areas and a quiet room for use by friends and families – opened its doors in December, but an official opening will take place at a celebratory event on May 12.