A law firm with offices in Ilkley has committed to raising £2,000 for the Airedale Hospital Emergency Department Appeal to help fund a number of new distraction walls for children.

LCF Law has kick-started its fundraising with a donation from Partner and Head of Personal Law, Neil Shaw.

Neil was sponsored to compete in the Jane Tomlinson 10k race dressed as Elvis Presley.

He said: “I’m not a runner so I knew that friends, family and colleagues would pay good money to see me take part in the race. I completed the race in under an hour which I was very pleased with considering I stopped quite a few times to sign autographs!”

Meg Crossley, consultant in emergency medicine and clinical lead for A&E at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “I am absolutely delighted that LCF Law is supporting Airedale’s new Emergency Department by fundraising towards distraction walls for the children’s rooms.

"Children can find coming into hospital, particularly in an emergency situation, quite frightening.

"These floor-to-ceiling distraction walls play a vital role in helping parents distract or entertain a child if they are becoming agitated or distressed.

“The child can then be treated safely and quickly by the medical staff whilst remaining calm and concentrating on the wall. The walls can be wiped clean and are extremely durable as well as being an ideal alternative to plastic toys or books which can harbour germs and can be difficult for staff to hold whilst trying to treat the patient.”

LCF managing partner Simon Stell added: “Many of us live locally and understand what a vital role the hospital plays in the lives of so many children so we can really appreciate what a difference the distraction wall will make.

“We have a number of fund-raising events planned and we will make a company donation.”