Patients using a physiotherapy clinic will benefit from some new equipment – thanks to the generosity of a charity.

The donations of equipment from the Friends Supporting Lowestoft Healthcare - who were formerly called the Friends of Lowestoft Hospital - was recently made to the East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) Physiotherapy department, which provides rehabilitation services for NHS patients in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Members of the Friends committee were at the presentation to see the equipment demonstrated by members of the physiotherapy team.

ECCH neurology team leader Laura Griffiths said: "We are extremely grateful to the Friends Supporting Lowestoft Healthcare for giving us the funding for a set of Therapy Stairs and for sensory equipment for upper limb rehabilitation.

"The equipment will benefit a range of patients who use the clinic for rehabilitation. The stairs will allow patients to exercise and practice in a safe and controlled environment. We have neurology patients who have suffered strokes and are learning to use steps again. It will not only benefit the neurology physiotherapy team but also musculoskeletal, orthopaedics and falls teams.

"The sensory equipment will help patients with upper limb issues to improve their arm movements."

Pat Rayner, chairman of 'The Friends,' said: "The equipment given to ECCH costs almost £1800 and we understand that the NHS were unlikely to be able to fund these, so we are pleased to be able to help.

"With the closure of the Lowestoft Hospital - our charity is able to provide funding to support other health care requests from doctors' surgeries and health centres in Lowestoft."

Anyone needing to find out more about what the charity has to offer should e-mail patatsunrise@aol.com