I AM pleased to inform your readers that our charity, the Friends of the Friarage, will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

It was established in January 1957, initially as The League of Friends of the Friarage Hospital and later evolved to become the Friends of the Friarage. It is a registered charity run by volunteers independent of, but working closely with, the South Tees Health Trust and dedicated to support the Friarage Hospital and health facilities in Hambleton and Richmondshire.

Over the past 60 years we have provided more than £5m for funding of buildings and equipment to local health facilities.

I wish to thank the general public, local businesses and establishments who have generously supported us with our fundraising efforts over the years. The publicity provided by your newspaper has helped immensely for which we are grateful.

Dr U Somasundram, chairman, Friends of the Friarage, Northallerton