PEOPLE willing to contribute to a local good cause have been invited to become Friends of Airedale Hospital trustees.

The Friends charity, which focuses on improving the experience of patients at Airedale, explains trustees ensure the group remains viable, while making sure it adheres to its mission to act in the interests of patients.

A Friends group spokesman said: "The role is incredibly rewarding and worthwhile.

"Trustee meetings are held at least four times a year. At every meeting, the trustees review the status of the charity finances and any requests for funding.

"In addition, they review the plans for, risks or issues facing the charity and how they will be addressed.

"Trustees contribute their particular skills to the charity by working on particular projects between meetings depending on the amount of additional time they can commit.

"Specialist skills such as retail, IT or legal knowledge would be particularly useful. Whilst trustees are unpaid, expenses can be claimed."

He added that the Friends work with the hospital Voluntary Services Department to recruit volunteers.

Volunteers work in the hospital transport service, help with patient feeding, organise social events, run two hospital shops, cafes and a ward trolley service.

Funds raised from the shops and other donations are reinvested in equipment and services for the hospital that the NHS would be otherwise unable to afford.

People wanting more details about becoming a trustee can visit friendsofairedale.co.uk/trustees.html or should contact voluntary services manager, Gurmit Jauhal, at Gurmit.Jauhal@anhst.nhs.uk or 01535 295316.