PRESENTERS on the Borders Hospital Radio Service have topped the charts when it comes to fundraising.

A grand prize draw organised by the volunteers raised a whopping £2,300.

And the cash has been donated to the Department of Medicine for the Elderly (DME) ward in Borders General Hospital.

The small but dedicated team of volunteers put in hours of work in the weeks leading up to Christmas selling raffle tickets for their impressive list of prizes.

Colin Taylor, treasurer and one of the founding members of Borders Hospital Radio Service, told us: “Our Christmas prize draw is a lot of hard work as we are just a small team but it is definitely one of our favourite times of year as it is always a lot of fun.

"We decided this year that we wanted the proceeds from the draw to benefit the DME ward and we are delighted to have raised so much for the patients.”

A few of the volunteers from BHRS visited the ward to present the staff with the donation which is going to help enhance the patient activities available on the ward.

Judith Tait Brown, who is a senior charge nurse on the ward, said: "Thank you to Borders Hospital Radio Service and everyone who took part in their Christmas draw for making this generous donation possible.

"It means so much to have been given this huge sum of money for DME patients to benefit from.

"Our patients are of a certain age and often have complex needs, during their time in hospital we are keen to ensure they are stimulated and ideally engaged in some form of social activity.

"This donation will allow us to invest in activity trolleys stocked with jigsaws, dominoes, card and board games as well as other items for patients to enjoy.

"We are also beginning to develop a portfolio of volunteers who will be available to spend time with patients and take part in these activities with them.”

Borders Hospital Radio Service has been broadcasting since 1988 when the Queen first opened the Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

A small team of volunteers give their time and skills to broadcast nightly between 7pm and 10pm playing a range of music as well as requests from patients, visitors and staff.

Anyone interested in volunteering with Borders Hospital Radio Service can leave a message for the team on 01896 826077.