STAFF in Minehead Hospital hosted a charity raffle to raise funds for a good cause close to their hearts.

They supported former colleague Margaret Endersby who has worked ‘endlessly’ to fight Batten disease.

Hospital administration team spokesperson Jayne Cornish said Matron Norma Coombes asked staff to organise a Christmas raffle, and so they decided to support Ms Endersby because her grandson Frank suffered Batten disease.

The disease causes a progressive loss of physical and mental abilities, including blindness and seizures.

It usually begins in childhood, and can occur as early as six months, or as late as the teenage years and even adulthood.

Occasionally, babies are affected at birth or soon afterwards.

Children stop progressing in their development and gradually lose the ability to walk, talk, sit, and respond to their surroundings

The deterioration occurs over many years and eventually the increasing physical weakness combined with a brain which can no longer work well, reach a point where life can no longer be sustained.

The hospital staff raised a total of £262.12 to support Ms Endersby and gave special thanks to Sister Penny Earl, who collected prizes from the White Horse Inn, Washford and the Valiant Soldier, Roadwater, while a Christmas cake was made by Sister Hayley Welsh, and bottles of drink provided by the staff.