A BIRTHDAY present that was wanted but unused – and then ‘recycled’ – has raised £600 for Williton Hospital.

The Tamaha portable organ was given to Janet Padbury for her birthday last August but she was admitted to Williton Hospital in April and died on May 24.

It was the she wanted but she never had a chance to play it, so Ray Padbury decided to donate it as a raffle prize to raise some money for the hospital.

His gesture was a thank-you from him and his family for the care and kindness they had given Janet while she was in their care.

A raffle was organised in Quantock Freemasons Lodge in Watchet and raised £400.

The prize was won by Jack Heard and, at the age of 95, he decided he would not benefit from it so he gave it to Loyal Vacation Lodge in Wiveliscombe as a gift in return for a contribution towards the sum already raised by Quantock Lodge.

They kindly £200 – and a cheque for £600 was presented on June 14 to matron Norma Coombe, sister Sharon Sweeney and staff by Ray Padbury and Alex Moran on behalf of the members of Quantock Lodge and Wiveliscombe Lodge.

Pictured from the left are healthcare assistant Kirsty Johnson-Smith, staff nurse Christina Landette-Sanchez, Alex Moran of Quantock Lodge, matron Norma Coombes, Ray Padbury of Quantock Lodge, staff nurse Emma Rewcastle, senior sister Sharon Sweeney and housekeeper Margaret Attwell.