A new orthopaedic institute will be even bigger and better, thanks to a millionaire's gift and the tireless work of fundraisers.

Building should start next year on the £3m Oxford Institute of Orthopaedic Research to be built at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Headington. A new children's ward will also be built.

The institute will be named after the daughter of the late Octav Botnar, who gave £5m towards the rebuilding of the hospital during his lifetime.

His daughter, Camelia, died in a car crash, aged 21. More than £2m of Mr Botnar's gift will be used specifically for the new centre.

An appeal for the NOC has already raised £8.7m. That figure means that other projects, including a new children's ward and adult wards, can also now be given the go-ahead.

Lord Tebbit, chairman of the NOC Appeal and the trustees, said: "The appeal has raised a further £6m which will be used for a children's ward and adult wards as part of the new redevelopment.

"Mr Botnar, before his death last year, gave £4m towards the children's and adult wards and I am delighted we are at last going to be able to start building.

"I am only sad that Mr Botnar is not here to join me in making this announcement but we shall make sure that the Botnar name and that of Camelia will be remembered. "Mr and Mrs Botnar's benevolence will help this internationally-renowned Oxford Centre of Excellence stay at the forefront of orthopaedic medicine in both treatment and research.

"This gift will help thousands of disabled and handicapped adults and children for decades to come. Mr Botnar has been a great philanthropist giving away £100m to charity in this country."

Mr Botnar, who arrived in Britain as a refugee from Romania in 1966 and built up a multi-million pound business as the controller of Nissan car sales, became closely involved with the hospital following his daughter's death.

The NOC is also planning a £23m hospital redevelopment in 2001 as part of a private finance initiative scheme.

Story date: Wednesday 01 September

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