VOLUNTEERS at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital have raised a record-breaking half a million pounds in one year to help fund staff and equipment.

The money which has been made from the two cafes run by volunteers in the JR will fund nursing staff, ultrasound scanners and the provision of specialist counselling services for parents suffering from a loss or trauma during pregnancy.

The sterling work comes amid ongoing fears about funding and staffing problems facing the NHS.

The volunteers from the John Radcliffe League of Friends run the cafes in the hospital's main site and the Women’s Centre.

The profits made from the sale of foodie favourites are then returned to the hospital via grants to different wards and departments.

In the 2017/18 financial year, the Friends raised a record-breaking £513,908, allowed them to donate more than £200,000 in 39 grants, setting an additional record for donations to the hospital in one year.

Those donations mean that the hospital can now fund staff and specialist equipment.

Volunteers at the cafes,which have both been awarded five star food hygiene ratings by Oxford City Council, serve roughly 700 customers per day.

Chairman of the League of Friends grant committee Ruth Greves said: “We are thrilled to have hit this incredible milestone of turning over more than half a million pounds.

"Our volunteers work incredibly hard and provide such a special service to the hospital, so to see all that hard work paying off is wonderful.

"It’s great to know that all those sandwiches and cups of tea have such an impact allowing us to purchase specialist medical equipment and support staff projects across the hospital."

A chief nurse at the OUH, Sam Foster, said: “We are thrilled to hear that the John Radcliffe League of Friends has had such a successful year and extend our thanks to all the volunteers."