THE owner of a magical Hobbit-inspired holiday farm hopes a generous donation will transform a paediatric department into another mythical space for families to enjoy.

Owner of North Shire retreat, Carol Cavendish, was inspired to support her nearby NHS Trust during a visit to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, over the festive period.

Ms Cavendish spent time over Christmas at the hospital, delivering presents to children on the ward in need of specialist care.

Since then, the Cavendish family who own six acres of farmland in the North York Moors offering Hobbit-home accommodation, resolved to raise money for the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

A charity auction organised by Ms Cavendish saw thousands raised, with the top bidder winning a three-night stay at the mythical site near Saltburn. She was able to match the highest bidder to eventually hand over a cheque for more than £2,00 to the Stockton hospital's children's department.

The funds will be used to buy new child-friendly surgical gowns and pyjamas for youngsters receiving treatment on the ward. The sleepwear will be supplied through The Pyjama Fairies charity, making patterned garments for babies and children in hospital.

The donation will also be spent on a magical fairytale-inspired artwork to adorn the wall of a paediatric emergency department room.

It is hoped the colourful images will help distract children during treatment and allow them to get lost in the magic.

Ms Cavendish said: "When one of the play specialists reached out to see if we could help, we jumped at the chance.

"We’re always keen to support our local health service, it’s such an important cause.

“Any stay in hospital can be stressful for families, so it’s really important to support charities like The Pyjama Fairies who are working to make it feel less alien for the children there.

“When the hospital reached out to us to see if we could help, we jumped at the chance as it is such an important cause.

“Any stay in hospital can be stressful for families, so it’s really important to support charities like The Pyjama Fairies who are working to make it feel less alien for the children there."

Debbie Hall, paediatrics lead for the emergency care department at the North Tees Hospital, said: “This is such an amazing act of generosity from the North Shire.

“Every single penny makes a difference and we will be able to use this money to refresh the area and invest in more surgical gowns for our little patients.”