The Forever Friends Appeal at the Royal United Hospital, Bath has received a boost to its CT scanner fundraising campaign.with a major £150,000 donation from Trowbridge-based Virgin Mobile.

Lisa Cogdell-Brown, community, charity and well-being liaison officer, at Virgin Mobile, said: "Virgin Mobile has always been committed to working closely with the local community and we are delighted to support such a worthy cause as the CT scanner campaign.

"We hope it will help to save the lives of many children and adults in the region by providing an accurate and early diagnosis of a variety of injuries and illnesses as soon as it can be installed."

Virgin Mobile presented its donation to Vanessa Kyte, a 41 year old RUH cancer patient, and with her sister, Nicola Noble, and Virgin Mobile employee, Cheryl Buxton, on March 29.

Vanessa's visit was part of her week-long 85 mile walk around the catchment area of the RUH, to also raise funds towards the CT scanner campaign.

Cheryl Buxton, a team manager at Virgin Mobile is joining Vanessa for 13 miles of the walk.

Vanessa, Nicola and Cheryl, were given the red carpet treatment at Virgin Mobile and were greeted by 150 staff, each holding a Forever Friends bear one for each thousand pounds that the company is donating to the Appeal's Campaign.

Lisa Cogdell-Brown said: "We admire Vanessa's determination and efforts in helping to raise more funds towards this important appeal and are proud to make this contribution to the campaign on behalf of Virgin Mobile."

Vanessa, who finished her walk in Bath on April 1, said: "I am delighted to receive this donation on behalf of The Forever Friends Appeal.

Virgin Mobile heads up the list of local companies, including Roper Rhodes, Western Power Distribution and Portman Building Society, who have pledged official support for the CT scanner campaign through membership of the Appeal's Corporate Partnership Scheme.

Tim Hobbs, head of fundraising at The Forever Friends Appeal, said: "We are extremely grateful to Virgin Mobile and Vanessa for the fantastic support they are giving to the Appeal and their contributions.

"It will have a significant impact on the CT scanner campaign.

Mr Hobbs, continued: "What we urgently need now is for other companies, organisations and individuals in the area to follow Virgin Mobile's and Vanessa's lead.

This will help make sure we raise the last £250,000 we need towards the CT scanner as we approach the summer.