BASILDON Hospital has been given £1,000 to buy toys for sick children.

Rickard Keen chartered accountants raised cash for the hospital’s Polly Parrot charity appeal.

Alan Worsdale, managing director at Rickard Keen, said: “We believe it is important to give back to the local community we work in and so we were delighted to support the Polly Parrot charity appeal.

“Each year we select local charities to support with our annual carol concert and other fundraising activities.”

Jerusha Murdoch-Kelly, paediatric matron, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported the Rickard Keen concert. We are putting the money towards toys for the children’s outpatient department, including sensory toys and toys for distracting young during tests patients.”