A campaign to raise money to support dementia patients at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds has broken through the £15,000 mark.

The Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign, run in partnership with the East Anglian Daily Times and Mercury newspapers, has hit this milestone thanks to the efforts of 14 fundraisers who took part in a skydive, raising more than £2,700 for the appeal.

The daredevil skydivers were part of the inaugural West Suffolk Hospital charity sky dive in June.

Now the public are being encouraged to sign up for a new charity fitness fundraiser, Walk for Wards, which will support the appeal and other parts of the hospital as the campaign looks to reach its year target of £25,000.

Other recent support has come from Pakenham Women’s Institute who used their flower and produce show to raise money for the campaign, while a collection and awareness stand was also held at Sainsbury’s in Bury St Edmunds.

Dave Gooderham, fundraising manager at the hospital, said: “On behalf of the dementia team, the charity and the hospital, I would like to thank all the readers of this newspaper for their incredible support of the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign. The generosity in the community we live and work in continues to be incredible – we have so far raised £16,333.”

Mr Gooderham is planning the Walk for Wards event which gives people the chance to decide whether to walk or run a single 10k event, complete 5k for five days or 10k for 10 days, all in aid of West Suffolk Hospital Charity.

Participants can choose their own route and are also able to use their local gym for added convenience. They are encouraged to take part between October 9 and October 18, although these dates are not set in stone. People can also choose any area of the hospital they would like to support and are being encouraged to raise a minimum of £35 in sponsorship.

For more information, call the hospital’s fundraising team on 01284 712952 or email dave.gooderham@wsh.nhs.uk