“We do appreciate this because OOR does have a long wish list,” Di said.

“Funds are used to purchase much needed equipment for the hospital, equipment that is not supplied from any other source and we do have a criteria that equipment must stay here, except in very extreme circumstances.

“There is an unending need, the government can only do so much, so it’s up to the people of Inverell to help themselves and the people of Inverell are very generous people, as shown by this cheque,” Di said.

Times sales manager Julie Heard said she would like to than all those businesses involved.

“We wouldn’t have been able to dothis fundraiser without the continued and generous support of the numerous business houses,” Julie said.

“Our staff are always enthusiastic about embracing a top cause, Felicity, Lisa, Jenny and Tiffany led the way to achieving our goals and they need to be recognised for that.

“Now we are in a new year we’ll be looking for a new charity so we can do it all again for the local community,” Julie said.