AN OSWESTRY-based tourist attraction has helped to raise almost £40,000 for an appeal launched by a Chester hospital.

The British Ironwork Centre, in partnership with The Countess of Chester Hospital Charity, has so far raised £39,000 for the Blue Skies Balcony Appeal thanks to a new rainbow sculpture.

Sponsored by Medicash, the sculpture which was designed and created by the centre in Aston is a project that commemorates all the keys workers that have played a vital part in the coronavirus pandemic.

Colourful hearts can be bought to be placed on the Rainbow, and The Countess of Chester Hospital Charity want to fill the rainbow with hearts, each one a tribute to key workers as well as personal tributes from family members and friends.

Funds raised by the Hospital Rainbow Sculpture will be put towards the Blue Skies Balcony Appeal, a £500,000 project which aims to build a balcony onto the Intensive Care Unit at The Countess of Chester Hospital.

Hearts can still be sponsored, and each heart can be chosen in any colour of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, or violet.

The Countess Charity is asking for a minimum sponsorship of £10, and for each sponsorship a favour will be sent to the sponsor in their chosen colour for them to keep.

If you would like to sponsor a heart, you can get involved at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/putaheartinourrainbow2020 or send a cheque to The Countess Charity, Countess of Chester Hospital, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1UL, made payable to The Countess Charity.