A specialist nursing home in Durham has raised more than £400 for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF).

The staff team at St Aiden’s Cottage were delighted to have raised the much-needed funds for the charity based at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital when they discovered their manager’s newborn granddaughter was being treated in the specialist heart unit.

Amanda Cavanagh, the manager, had a granddaughter born with a rare heart condition called Left Hypoplastic Heart Syndrome which meant she was born with just half of her heart. The hospital has performed many open-heart procedures on her and is currently monitoring her progress and recovery.

Ms Cavanagh said: “I’m delighted at the support that our staff have given to CHUF. One of the team suggested that instead of having a dress down day on payday that we dress up in our favourite Disney character pyjamas and onesies and donate a fiver to the charity.

“It was great to see Eeyore and Tigger working with numerous Minnie and Mickey Mouse. Our residents loved it. We also had a tombola, brought in a singer to entertain everyone and held a raffle too. We’ve raised more than £400 for CHUF and everyone has been so supportive. I’m very grateful.”

St Aiden’s Cottage is operated by Careline Lifestyles, an independent provider of high-quality nursing and residential care, specialising in acquired brain injuries, neurological, mental health needs, learning and physical disabilities for adults.