​The League of Friends at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has raised £123,000 in just six months for its anniversary appeal.

The league is aiming to raise £350,000 to purchase a CT scanner for the accident and emergency department at Musgrove.

League president Margaret Pegge said: “Everyone we have spoken to has been very excited about this appeal and people have been extremely generous.

"The porters from the X-Ray department at Musgrove who organised a music evening at the Wyvern Club and the villages of Trull and Staplehay, which held a bring-and-buy sale, are just two of the many examples – as well as all the individuals who have made donations.

"We wanted to celebrate our 50th anniversary with a big appeal that would engage people and make a significant difference to the hospital. We now need everyone in Somerset to do their bit to help us raise the rest of the money.”

Consultant in emergency medicine at Musgrove Park Dr Cliff Mann said: “This scanner will be situated in the emergency department and dedicated to emergency patients.

"Patients will be scanned on arrival to speed up diagnosis and radically change the pathway of care. Patients will get to where they need to be – theatre, specialist unit, neurosurgeons, thrombolysis – quicker and with the right information."

If you would like more information, or can help to arrange a fundraising event, The League can be contacted via Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, TA1 5DA or on 01823 282238 or 01823 412218.