The T&A-backed Bradford Millennium Scanner Appeal has been handed a huge Christmas present in three gifts which leave just £70,000 to raise.

Bradford-based supermarket giant Morrisons has given £25,000 towards the £1million campaign for a MRI scanner at Bradford Royal Infirmary in one of the biggest donations so far from the business community.

A further £25,000 has been given by a mystery local benefactor and another £10,000 has been handed over by a charitable trust, which is also remaining anonymous.

Hospital chiefs have hailed the gifts as major boosts to the campaign. Generous T&A readers have helped raise a fantastic £929,000 over the last 18 months.

Organisers are urging fundraisers to re-double efforts in the New Year to get the final £71,000 collected. Linda Pollard, chairman of Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, said the donation from Morrisons, along with money from the other sources, could not have come at a better time for the appeal as part of the Final Countdown campaign to raise the remaining cash.

"The last part is often the hardest to raise and this most generous gift has given us a huge leap forward," she said.

"Morrisons have been very supportive throughout the campaign and this £25,000 donation is a wonderful Christmas present and really is the icing on the cake."

John Dowd, managing director of Morrisons, said: "We are delighted to be able to make a contribution to such a vital piece of equipment which will benefit the local community."

Ride on for Kabeel

After surviving a gruelling, life-saving operation, all Kabeel Mazhar wanted for Christmas was a bicycle.

And thanks to the T&A and Action Bikes, in Bradford, young Kabeel's wish has been granted. He will be putting his brand-new bike through its paces in the new year.

The brave eight-year-old from Shipley was given a new liver after contracting cryptogenic cirrhosis. While recovering from the nine-hour operation at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, Kabeel became inseparable from a three-wheel push bike which he rode up and down the children's ward.

Steve Ward, manager of Action Bikes, in the city centre, said: "When I read about Kabeel in the T&A I thought what a brave kid he is. He seemed to be missing his bike and I was only too happy to help out."

Mrs Mazhar said Kabeel was overjoyed with the gift. "This will help to put him on the road to a full recovery."

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